Feminism and Female Autonomy in Short Stories from Hogwarts: Minerva McGonagall

Abstract

The wizarding world created by J. K. Rowling continued to attract scholarly interest because it offered narratives with recognizable social structures through which gender roles could be examined. However, many discussions of gender in Harry Potter-related texts tended to emphasise younger characters, while the feminist values of mature female figures received less attention. This study examined how feminist values were reflected in the character of Minerva McGonagall in Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies by J. K. Rowling. The aim was to explore how McGonagall’s actions, leadership, and moral choices expressed ideas that aligned with feminist thought. The study employed qualitative research design to identify patterns in McGonagall’s portrayal. The data were collected through intensive reading of the text, focusing on passages that illustrated her values, decisions, and leadership style. The analysis used the feminist theoretical framework proposed by Tong and Botts, focusing particularly on liberal feminism and radical feminism. The findings showed that McGonagall’s character embodied feminist values such as equality, justice, and autonomy. These values were expressed through her commitment to her profession, principled decision-making, and resistance to restrictive gender norms. Her leadership demonstrated that feminist values could be conveyed through calm, consistent, and principled authority. These results suggested that McGonagall represented a form of female empowerment that was both subtle and impactful, offering an alternative model of feminist leadership in literature.