Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Orientalism and Gender: Stereotypes of Asian Girls in Harry Potter

Yiming WangHigh School Attached to Shandong Normal University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

The Harry Potter series features characters from diverse racial backgrounds, yet J.K. Rowling’s portrayals reveal different attitudes toward them. This paper investigates how the portrayal of Cho Chang reflects stereotypes of Asian girls and how the theory of orientalism contributes to the stereotype’s emergence. The name Cho Chang evokes an image of fragility and constant weeping girl, hinting at an underlying bias. In the narrative, her beauty—framed as an “Eastern charm”—often overshadows her notable Quidditch skills. Although she is portrayed as both academically and athletically talented, she hesitates to confront the Dark Arts. Collectively, these traits construct a character situated within the broader framework of orientalist ideology. Through close reading and textual analysis, this study finds that Cho Chang’s depiction perpetuates the “fragile, exotic Asian girl” stereotype which reinforces cultural biases. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of racial representation in children’s literature and highlight the importance of more nuanced portrayals of minority characters.

Keywords: Harry Potter; Asian stereotyping; gender study; Orientalism
Published: September 16, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.NE26902
Volume: CHR Vol.82
pp. 41-47
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