Realism in Harry Potter Question
I read the first five books of the Harry Potter series years ago, and I've seen all of the movies. It really struck me that there is a disconnect from reality in them, and I don't mean the fantasy world.
it just strikes me as unrealistic that nearly no wizards use weapons aside from their wands, and have no real sense of how to fight except dueling each other. What makes it really stand out is the few times weapons ARE used, they are dang effective. The story about the brother from the deathly hallows who has the elder wand has his throat slit in the night. And Bellatrix's use of a knife seems pretty effective as well.
add to that, the characters just don't really come across like they are fighting for life. Real combat is a horrid, chaotic mess of people scrambling to do anything they can to win and not die. That doesn't happen in this story. Even when faced with their mortal enemies that have killed many of their friends, they so rarely resort to actual deadly violence it seems a bit ridiculous. Why disarm bellatrix lestrange? why not kill her in one shot when she doesn't even know you're coming? (yes, I know, it's good versus evil, but that just doesn't fit in the situation she builds. It's war. you fight to the death in war.)
I guess I'm wondering if JK rowling ever gave a better explanation for why this is so. I know it is a teen novel series, but she brings in a lot of adult themes and really ramps up the seriousness and sombre tone, yet her characters never truly seem like they are at war.