In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom explore the origins of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, tracing its roots back to the Victorian era and the influence of British public school stories. They discuss Thomas Hughes' "Tom Brown's School Days" as a foundational text that shaped the values of manliness, service, and moral character, which are echoed in the Harry Potter novels. The conversation covers various aspects of public school life, such as the house system, sports (linking Quidditch to traditional school games), the importance of classics, the role of teachers, and the prevalence of beatings and fagging. They also touch upon the absence of girls in early public school stories and the later development of girls' schools, ultimately arguing that Harry Potter, while seemingly a unique creation, draws heavily from the traditions and ethos of the British public school system.
