(Anonymous)
I still wonder if she started off with class prejudice in mind, and then switched to racism toward the end because she thought it would be more profound.
Or so that her non-British readers would "get" it, perhaps.
JKR might have intended to write blood prejudice as racism, but found that that came into conflict with other things that she wanted to do. For instance, she wanted to write Harry as growing up (to age eleven) without any knowledge of the WW. That makes it more difficult for him to be a pureblood. She could've worked a backstory out, but that would probably have ruled out returning to his Muggle "family" for the summers, which she also wanted to write.
On the other hand, she wanted to write him as a celebrity, admired by everyone. She even wrote Draco as wanting to be his friend, so that *Harry* could turn down *Draco's* friendship. That doesn't fit prejudice against half-bloods very well.
Also, JKR liked the idea of giving Harry a choice between the two sides. CoS ends with that discussion between Harry and Dumbledore about choosing not to be in Slytherin. And in PS and HBP, Harry and Dumbledore respectively talk as though Harry had a choice about joining Voldemort. In PS, even Voldemort at least pretends that Harry might join him, when trying to get Harry to give him the Stone. For that choice to work, Harry has to be acceptable to both sides, and that doesn't quite fit if Harry has some Muggle background, and the prejudice against "impure" blood is absolute. So, something had to give.
Lynn
Or so that her non-British readers would "get" it, perhaps.
JKR might have intended to write blood prejudice as racism, but found that that came into conflict with other things that she wanted to do. For instance, she wanted to write Harry as growing up (to age eleven) without any knowledge of the WW. That makes it more difficult for him to be a pureblood. She could've worked a backstory out, but that would probably have ruled out returning to his Muggle "family" for the summers, which she also wanted to write.
On the other hand, she wanted to write him as a celebrity, admired by everyone. She even wrote Draco as wanting to be his friend, so that *Harry* could turn down *Draco's* friendship. That doesn't fit prejudice against half-bloods very well.
Also, JKR liked the idea of giving Harry a choice between the two sides. CoS ends with that discussion between Harry and Dumbledore about choosing not to be in Slytherin. And in PS and HBP, Harry and Dumbledore respectively talk as though Harry had a choice about joining Voldemort. In PS, even Voldemort at least pretends that Harry might join him, when trying to get Harry to give him the Stone. For that choice to work, Harry has to be acceptable to both sides, and that doesn't quite fit if Harry has some Muggle background, and the prejudice against "impure" blood is absolute. So, something had to give.
Lynn