Analysis Post #3: Eastern European Elements in Harry Potter: Part I: Introduction

This is the first of a series of posts (which may not appear sequentially) on those elements in the Potter books which, in one's opinion, seem to be directly inspired by the culture and history of Eastern Europe. Before beginning, however, a general definition of Eastern Europe should be given. When one refers to Eastern Europe on this post and on subsequent postings, one is referring to all those inhabited lands which stretch from Germany's eastern border to the Russian Federation, but which ends at the Ural Mountains. All inhabited lands to the east of the Urals, is, to this author, considered to be of Asiatic heritage, although some of it is the sovereign territory of Russia. Eastern Europe is bordered on the north by the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) and in the south by Turkey and Greece. (One does not consider Turkey and Greece part of Eastern Europe). Furthermore, all lands that had once belonged to the former Yugoslavia, though also being a part of Eastern Europe, will frequently be referred to as Southeastern Europe.

Both of the prior analysis posts on this blog have mentioned some of the Eastern European elements which need not be repeated here. The first analysis essay on Ravenclaw's Diadem focused on Helena Ravenclaw's flight to Albania (Southeastern Europe) and the second analysis essay disucssed the possibilities of Fyodor Dostoevsky's influence on J. K. Rowling through two of her characters: Dolores Umbridge and Hepzibah Smith.

The Eastern European elements of the Potter series that one would like to tackle in subsequent essays include but are not limited to:

1. Viktor Krum and the Bulgarians (with a side note on "Veela")
2. Igor Karkaroff
3. Slytherins and Scythians
4. Gregorovitch and the Elder Wand
5. Ruling through Fear: Voldemort as Stalinist
6. Grindelwald in Nurmengard: German History in Harry Potter
7. Ideas about Durmstrang and the School's Ship (Germans, Vikings (Varingians), etc.)

The last two ideas on the list are related to Germany, which may be on a technical level considered Central Europe, but Central and Eastern Europe are so culturally and historically interrelated that these essays should be presented in the context of the others.