Fascinating essay about the educational system in Harry Potter. I like this because it addresses one of my primary problems with the Harry Potter series: namely that Harry and the other white hats don't do anything to deserve victory from a literary point of view. Their victories don't come by dint of moral virtue, personal strength, or knowledge. Largely, they seem to come from loyalty, but this is problematic at best, as loyalty seems to be the chief currency of the Death Eaters as well, albeit loyalty to a different master.
According to Rosenberg, the virtue that the Harry Potter series rewards is not moral virtue but learning, which she demonstrates is not the same as knowledge. Harry and his cohorts are united by their ability to learn and adapt, which I believe I mis-perceived as loyalty; in fact, they are united by a process and love of curiosity which is why they are able to reunite even after their numerous fights that break the bonds of loyalty.
I'm almost tempted to re-read the entire series from this perspective.
