J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has enchanted readers worldwide with its magical world of wizards, witches, and mystical creatures. While Rowling’s imagination is undeniable, her creation of the Harry Potter universe didn’t emerge from a vacuum. Various books and literary traditions influenced her writing, with one book in particular standing out as a major source of inspiration: The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy.
1. The Worst Witch: A Magical School Before Hogwarts
First published in 1974, The Worst Witch is a children’s book series written by Jill Murphy that tells the story of Mildred Hubble, a young witch attending Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. The similarities between Murphy’s magical boarding school and Rowling’s Hogwarts are hard to ignore. Both feature young students learning magic, a strict headmistress, eccentric teachers, and a protagonist who doesn’t quite fit the mold of a “perfect” student.
While The Worst Witch was one of many works that inspired Rowling’s Hogwarts, it helped shape the idea of a magical boarding school, complete with broomsticks, spells, and a camaraderie among young witches and wizards.
2. Themes of Friendship and Self-Discovery
Much like Mildred Hubble in The Worst Witch, Harry Potter is an outsider who struggles to find his place in the magical world. Both characters face adversity and must rely on their friends to overcome challenges. Themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery run through both series, providing a common thread that resonates with readers young and old.
In The Worst Witch, Mildred’s relationships with her friends and teachers are central to her growth as a witch, much like Harry’s bonds with Ron, Hermione, and other key figures at Hogwarts. Both series explore how friendship can help characters triumph over difficulties, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and courage.
3. Boarding School Adventures
The concept of boarding schools has long been a staple in British literature, with classics like Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series and Frank Richards’ Billy Bunter books contributing to the genre. However, The Worst Witch introduced the idea of a magical school for witches long before Hogwarts was envisioned.
At Miss Cackle’s Academy, students attend classes on potion-making, broomstick flying, and magical spells—much like the subjects taught at Hogwarts. The everyday life of young witches learning to master their powers, coupled with the inevitable challenges of adolescence, became central to both stories. The combination of fantasy and school life created an ideal setting for adventures and magical mishaps, which Rowling later expanded into her richly detailed wizarding world.
4. The Heroine vs. The Hero
While Harry Potter’s journey as a boy wizard is widely recognized, it’s interesting to note the contrast with Mildred Hubble, who was one of the first young witches to take center stage in a magical school setting. Mildred’s misadventures, clumsy nature, and occasional mishaps foreshadow Harry’s own struggles as he navigates his new life at Hogwarts.
Rowling’s decision to make Harry a boy reflects a shift in narrative focus, but the underlying concept of an “unlikely hero” remains. Both Harry and Mildred face challenges not just because of external threats, but also due to their insecurities and the high expectations placed on them. In this way, The Worst Witch laid the groundwork for Rowling’s complex, layered characters.
5. Other Literary Influences on Harry Potter
While The Worst Witch played a significant role in inspiring Harry Potter, it’s important to recognize that Rowling drew from multiple literary sources. C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia is another major influence, particularly in its depiction of magical worlds and the battle between good and evil. The portal-like nature of Platform 9 ¾, leading to a hidden magical realm, echoes the wardrobe in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe that opens the door to Narnia.
Additionally, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings introduced Rowling to the idea of a vast, interconnected world populated by creatures like elves, wizards, and dark forces. The mythic qualities of Voldemort and the quest-like nature of Harry’s journey bear some resemblance to the epic battles of Middle-earth.
Classic British boarding school novels, Greek mythology, and folklore also contributed to the rich tapestry of Rowling’s narrative. The idea of hidden magical worlds and ancient prophecies that shape the lives of ordinary characters is woven from many different strands of literature, yet Rowling was able to create something entirely fresh and new in Harry Potter.
