[HPforGrownups] Re: Weasleys and the Problem of Money

[Maria Kirilenko]

No: HPFGUIDX 48085


 
 "Darla <Talkative_alien_4000 at yahoo.com>" <Talkative_alien_4000 at yahoo.com> wrote:
There's been something nagging at me about the Weasleys lack of 
money. If they are so hard up, as they appear to be on several 
occasions (i.e hand-me-down robes, shortage of family owls etc), why 
did they blow the money they won in PoA on a holiday abroad? Yes, I 
realise it is obviously necessary for the story, *grin*, but... 
wouldn't you think they'd want to save it? Put it aside for school 
books etc? Or is it just me thinking it's odd?
 

Me: 

I think that the Weasleys are not as hard up as Ron says they are. All Ron complains of is having hand-me-down things and his lack of pocket money (although he obviously has some, since he is able to buy souvenirs at QWC). Regarding hand-me-down clothes, rats, etc: I have a younger sister, and she *always* wore my clothes after they became too small for me, got my toys, trinkets I didn't like when we were little - and we were not poor. It is just common sense. Ron, having 3 older brothers the family still has to support (assuming Bill and Charlie are on their own), of course has their old things.

I am not saying the Weasleys are rich, I understand that they live on a very tight budget, but they obviously manage to pay for the kids' school supplies and can afford to get Percy a new owl as a present, etc.

The fact that they spent the prize money on a trip also says a lot - they manage.

Mrs Weasley is a very practical woman who is responsible for the family budget, and she does everything to make the ends meet. She probably doesn't see why they should buy new schoolbooks when they can get used ones and use the leftover money for something else practical, like wool for the Christmas sweaters. The only times they get *unpractical* stuff is when something very pleasing happens, like Percy becoming Head Boy.

OTOH, although she economizes, she really ought to reconsider her attitude to Ron - maybe get him an occasional new thing, I don't know. Knitting not-marroon sweaters would also be nice.

So Ron's not complaining about their poverty . All he says is "Why is everything I own rubbish," "I hate being poor" - he says that about himself. I can understand him - he never gets new things, Percy does, etc. 

OK, I realize I am kind of rambling, so I'll reiterate my point - the Weasleys aren't all that poor, but they economize on Ron more than on other boys because he's the youngest, and it's this that bothers Ron.

Maria



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