Butterbeer, etc

[Angela Burgess]

No: HPFGUIDX 28152

Greetings, all!  Just a few things to say:
In talking about the alcohol-ness (is that a word?!?) of butterbeer, it has been brought up that people feel uncomfortable with the idea of adults giving children alcohol as connected with butterbeer.  I believe that the best proof that butterbeer has alcohol in it is when the boys are down in the kitchens and Dobby says that Winky is drinking 6 bottles a day.  Ron (or Harry?  I don't have my books!) replies that it is not "strong stuff", and then Dobby responds that it is for a house-elf.
Now, I don't think that this means that when the kids are drinking butterbeer, they are becoming young alcoholics or anything.  Keep in mind that in much of Europe, children begin drinking watered down wine at a young age.  By the time they are in high school, it is not uncommon for them to drink a glass of actual wine with dinner.  The idea of a teacher or other responsible adult giving the kids butterbeer would not be strange by these standards.
Of course, this is just my take on things.  To be perfectly honest, I am an American and not by any stretch of the imagination European.  However, from my studies of French and in talking with fellow students who *are* European, this is what I have discovered.  Please feel free to enlighten me if you have a different view of things.

AngelaGet more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com


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