Self-contained worlds (was The proximity of the Potterverse)

[joywitch_m_curmudgeon]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Dan Feeney" <dark30 at v...> 
wrote:

> And in Rowling, the muggle world, especially as it 
> is represented by the Dursley's, is fantastic, but the witch wizard 
> world is much more realistic. Interesting inversion, don't you 
think?

Interesting point, Dan.  I think it's true that in some ways JKR's 
wizarding world *is* much more believeable than her muggle world.  I 
think that her muggle world is basically a literary tribute, e.g. 
Harry's resilence in the face of his loveless muggle upbringing is 
Jane Eyre reference and the Dursleys themselves are a Roald Dahl 
reference.  And the wizarding world seems to be not only more 
realistic than the muggle world, but almost a satire of the real 
world.  I wonder if this is self-conscious on JKR's part?

--Joywitch