Prejudice and Draco

[dfrankiswork at netscape.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 28105

Heidi wrote:

> You know, people keep saying that at Hogwarts, Draco should be exposed to
> different and positive ideas, but I just don't see it. Other than at the > 4th year leaving feast, Dumbledore never addresses the students on
> issues of bias and prejudice- not even 2nd year when muggle-borns are
> being petrified and the students are terrified. So where would Draco
> learn them from? In class? We haven't seen any class where ethics are
> taught. The Slytherin common-room? Not all those students' parents are
> Death Eaters- so do they debate blood purity issues? How would a
> student's opinions trump Lucius Malfoy's in Draco's eyes?

The ideas are present by example: no attempt to segregate muggle-borns from others; Filch, Hagrid given jobs; later, Lupin given a job and Hagrid promoted; the school song sung anarchically; punishment by detention doing useful things, not magical punishments like the ferret; no dark arts taught, only defence; Dementors forbidden; 

Apart from Filch, Draco is very aware of all these things and he (or his father) correctly deduces Dumbledore's 'Muggle-loving' propensities. OK his dad could know from other experience and tell Draco, but Draco is clear that Hogwarts has a different approach to the favoured Malfoy one.

In some ways, if you disagree with the philosophy of a place, it's almost worse if it's never articulated clearly or pushed at you - you feel that all the time people are *assuming* things but you never get anything to single out and argue with or criticise.  If there is a clear programme you can articulate your rival programme.

David


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