Arthur and Muggles (was Pre-Hogwarts education and the Weasleys)

[milz]

No: HPFGUIDX 7697

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, "Simon Biber" <simon at b...> wrote:
> warning: this poses a concept then rambles on incoherently. i was 
tired at
> the time.
> 
> Rita (why do I see Skeeter here?) Winston wrote:
> 
> > I really believe that MOST wizarding folk are not as ignorant of
> > Muggle culture as the Weasleys are.
> 
> While I understand your view that the Weasleys are patronising of 
Muggles, I
> would expect that other wizards are even more ignorant.
> 
> What amazes me is that they don't study common subjects in the 
Wizarding
> world. Some like Science and Engineering are rendered unnecessary 
by magic
> though still could be interesting (I guess that's what Muggle 
Studies is
> for), but others like Maths, Languages (where did that guy learn 
them?),
> Geography should be very useful.
> 
> Magic can often be so convenient and change form constantly -- I am 
led to
> believe it is not governed by a rational set of laws but by the 
whim of Jo's
> imagination.
> 
> She can often tend to make up answers when confronted with 
questions instead
> of constructing a response to fit with the established world-view. 
So, while
> the books themselves are canon, I would be a little more careful 
about
> taking her answers as definate.
> 
> Simon.

Arthur's interest with Muggles and his lack of Muggle cultural 
knowledge is one of the funniest things in the series, IMO. One would 
think that he is knowledgeable about Muggle culture, considering his 
interest and considering his job at the Ministry! I guess Arthur 
exemplifies someone who knows enough, but not enough to really know.

:-) Milz