If you've ever sat back and wondered who am I?, you're not alone.
According to Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, the question of identity was a big controversy among wizards, too.
Basically, everyone was wondering which creatures could be classified as "beings" and which were "beasts." A being had legal rights and a say in the magical community. Beasts? Not so much. Were centaurs beings because they were half-human? How about werewolves who were human most of the time?
The answers might not be as simple as you think. Identity never is.
Questions About Identity
- Why does the magical community need to classify creatures at all?
- Is the current definition for beings and beasts the best one? Can you think of a better way to figure out where creatures should be classified?
- Do issues of being or beast identity relate anyway to Muggle issues around gender and racial identity?