Comments on: Goblins and Jews – Photographic evidence http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:11:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Emma http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-6668 Emma Sat, 05 Apr 2008 08:12:44 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-6668 Jewdar. lol Gollum was Tolkien's Jew. No one likes Jews and the stereotype has basis in some truth. Too bad, so sad. Jewdar. lol Gollum was Tolkien’s Jew. No one likes Jews and the stereotype has basis in some truth. Too bad, so sad.

]]> By: Elenor http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-6134 Elenor Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:21:09 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-6134 The Goblins had a reason to distrust humans. Even Harry (the hero) was going to "betray" Griphook. And goblins are treated nicer here than in a lot of mythical stories. Take Lord of the Rings, for example. The Goblins there are also hook-nosed, long-eared, and a host of other things. Compared to the number of times that Goblins are portrayed as uncultured brutes or undeniable enemies, J.K. treats them well. They have a code of honor, have integrated fairly well into society, and (as stated above) have reasons to not trust humans. I don't see any anti-Jewish signals here. The Goblins had a reason to distrust humans. Even Harry (the hero) was going to “betray” Griphook. And goblins are treated nicer here than in a lot of mythical stories. Take Lord of the Rings, for example. The Goblins there are also hook-nosed, long-eared, and a host of other things. Compared to the number of times that Goblins are portrayed as uncultured brutes or undeniable enemies, J.K. treats them well. They have a code of honor, have integrated fairly well into society, and (as stated above) have reasons to not trust humans. I don’t see any anti-Jewish signals here.

]]> By: Greg http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-1710 Greg Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:31:27 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-1710 Even Malfloy had remorse, but Griphook never did. Harry is depicted as Jesus (the savior sacrifying himself for people) betrayed by goblins. Even Malfloy had remorse, but Griphook never did. Harry is depicted as Jesus (the savior sacrifying himself for people) betrayed by goblins.

]]> By: quixote http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-620 quixote Tue, 31 Jul 2007 10:13:50 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-620 A lot of these Jewish stereotypes are just stereotypes of bankers -- greedy, miserly, cheap, treacherous, and studiously neutral -- and could just as easily apply to the Swiss as well. The notable connection being that both the Swiss and Jews are generalized as being...bankers. The image stuff is different (hooked nose and short), but that's pretty common in depictions of Goblins throughout lots of fantasy. Now it's possible that goblins were invented to caricature Jews and the J.K. Rowling decided to make her Goblins bankers to emphasize the stereotype (though I doubt it). I give the novels the benefit of the doubt since a lot of the plot is opposed to discrimination based on blood. There's even a Germany-specific back story (with trials at Numenburg or similiar) over the abuse/murder of people based on racial difference. My Anti-Jewdar didn't go off. A lot of these Jewish stereotypes are just stereotypes of bankers — greedy, miserly, cheap, treacherous, and studiously neutral — and could just as easily apply to the Swiss as well. The notable connection being that both the Swiss and Jews are generalized as being…bankers.

The image stuff is different (hooked nose and short), but that’s pretty common in depictions of Goblins throughout lots of fantasy. Now it’s possible that goblins were invented to caricature Jews and the J.K. Rowling decided to make her Goblins bankers to emphasize the stereotype (though I doubt it).

I give the novels the benefit of the doubt since a lot of the plot is opposed to discrimination based on blood. There’s even a Germany-specific back story (with trials at Numenburg or similiar) over the abuse/murder of people based on racial difference. My Anti-Jewdar didn’t go off.

]]> By: zq http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-579 zq Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:33:32 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-579 I was thinking the same things after reading the last book. I was thinking the same things after reading the last book.

]]> By: Oliver http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-561 Oliver Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:07:07 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-561 Minor point, but the film poster is Dutch, not German; presumably a piece of post-Occupation propaganda. Minor point, but the film poster is Dutch, not German; presumably a piece of post-Occupation propaganda.

]]> By: Ned http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-553 Ned Sat, 28 Jul 2007 01:30:05 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/goblins-and-jews-photographic-evidence/#comment-553 I'm confused about the last image. Was a soap company trying to sell their product by claiming that only Jews use other brands of soap? I’m confused about the last image. Was a soap company trying to sell their product by claiming that only Jews use other brands of soap?

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