/Perhaps using muggle technology since knowledge of modern technology is his main advantage over purebloods./
Heck, since Voldemort also grew up in the Muggle world, he could easily distinguish himself from other Dark Lords by using Muggle technology. But I think that that maybe would've been too complicated for the story that JKR wanted to write.
/Because Harry’s adversary isn’t material being. It’s system or rather “authority figures”. Be it adults, teachers, politicians, reporters, prefects... If it has some kind of power over our protagonist, he will fight it. The only exception to this is Dumbledore, and I suspect that is because Albus is Jo’s stand in for God/
In light of this interpretation, it would seem that there are two types of antagonists. Voldemort isn't an authority figure over Harry in any real sense, but he's the stand-in for the devil. Based on your conclusions from the first book, Draco is an antagonist because he's aligned with Voldemort or has turned away from Dumbledore, not because he's an authority figure, which he isn't. The authority figures (Umbridge, Fudge, etc.) are a problem not because they're aligned with Voldemort, but because they inconvenience the hero or obstruct his efforts to solve the problem of Voldemort. The good authority figures (Lupin, Weasleys, etc.) believe Harry and follow Dumbledore's orders without question. And, of course, Snape, being both an authority figure and someone who once followed the devil figure, has the worst of both worlds.
Actually, the difference between these two opposing groups could be seen as embodying the tonal dissonance between the two competing subgenres. Rebellion against authority figures is at home in the boarding school genre and YA. Voldemort, as the devil figure, seems more in line with high fantasy. He doesn't work within the system and he threatens to kill the heroes, not control them.
We've discussed possible reasons why Harry seems to have much more hatred for Snape than he does for Voldemort, and I think that, according to this interpretation, this may be another reason: Voldemort isn't an authority figure. For most of the series, he's out of sight, and he doesn't try to implement any measures until the last book. He doesn't try to tell Harry what to do. And being someone who's wrapped up in common fantasy villain tropes, he doesn't provide the same visceral reaction as Snape and Umbridge do, since his villainy is more removed from reality.
I always though that Jo lost opportunity for interesting drama here. After all Voldemort is someone terrified of death who quite possibly at some point came back to his orphanage only to see pile of rubble. That is a very good justification to hate/fear non-magical humans and to keep up with their technological development.
Actually that is quite similar thinking process to what I've been keeping on my back burner. There is small difference that I wanted to keep to myself until I'm done with either GoF or OotP, but here it is: I think that Harry's perspective on Dumbledore-MOM conflict is bit more complicated than simple rebellion against authority figures. It's struggle between religious authority and secular authority. Notice this: when (from Harry's POV) Fudge is manipulated into arresting Hagrid he is this pathetic caricature of politician, when he goes out of his own volition against Dumbledore, suddenly whole Ministry becomes this cesspool of corruption.
Severus is complicated subject from this perspective. Obviously he converted to one true religion, but he doesn't follow rules closely and his past works against him. But then on Albus' orders he "betrays" him. Kinda sounds like Judas. He does what "God" asks him to do, but is vilified in spite of following God's will.
I'm probably wrong with my interpretations, but JKR's religious background and themes she puts in her books makes me think that way :P
Heck, since Voldemort also grew up in the Muggle world, he could easily distinguish himself from other Dark Lords by using Muggle technology. But I think that that maybe would've been too complicated for the story that JKR wanted to write.
/Because Harry’s adversary isn’t material being. It’s system or rather “authority figures”. Be it adults, teachers, politicians, reporters, prefects... If it has some kind of power over our protagonist, he will fight it. The only exception to this is Dumbledore, and I suspect that is because Albus is Jo’s stand in for God/
In light of this interpretation, it would seem that there are two types of antagonists. Voldemort isn't an authority figure over Harry in any real sense, but he's the stand-in for the devil. Based on your conclusions from the first book, Draco is an antagonist because he's aligned with Voldemort or has turned away from Dumbledore, not because he's an authority figure, which he isn't. The authority figures (Umbridge, Fudge, etc.) are a problem not because they're aligned with Voldemort, but because they inconvenience the hero or obstruct his efforts to solve the problem of Voldemort. The good authority figures (Lupin, Weasleys, etc.) believe Harry and follow Dumbledore's orders without question. And, of course, Snape, being both an authority figure and someone who once followed the devil figure, has the worst of both worlds.
Actually, the difference between these two opposing groups could be seen as embodying the tonal dissonance between the two competing subgenres. Rebellion against authority figures is at home in the boarding school genre and YA. Voldemort, as the devil figure, seems more in line with high fantasy. He doesn't work within the system and he threatens to kill the heroes, not control them.
We've discussed possible reasons why Harry seems to have much more hatred for Snape than he does for Voldemort, and I think that, according to this interpretation, this may be another reason: Voldemort isn't an authority figure. For most of the series, he's out of sight, and he doesn't try to implement any measures until the last book. He doesn't try to tell Harry what to do. And being someone who's wrapped up in common fantasy villain tropes, he doesn't provide the same visceral reaction as Snape and Umbridge do, since his villainy is more removed from reality.
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Actually that is quite similar thinking process to what I've been keeping on my back burner. There is small difference that I wanted to keep to myself until I'm done with either GoF or OotP, but here it is: I think that Harry's perspective on Dumbledore-MOM conflict is bit more complicated than simple rebellion against authority figures. It's struggle between religious authority and secular authority. Notice this: when (from Harry's POV) Fudge is manipulated into arresting Hagrid he is this pathetic caricature of politician, when he goes out of his own volition against Dumbledore, suddenly whole Ministry becomes this cesspool of corruption.
Severus is complicated subject from this perspective. Obviously he converted to one true religion, but he doesn't follow rules closely and his past works against him. But then on Albus' orders he "betrays" him. Kinda sounds like Judas. He does what "God" asks him to do, but is vilified in spite of following God's will.
I'm probably wrong with my interpretations, but JKR's religious background and themes she puts in her books makes me think that way :P
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