[HPforGrownups] Re: Weasleys and the Problem of Money

[Suzanne Chiles]

No: HPFGUIDX 48103

Maria said:

> 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.

I don't see any evidence that the Weasley's economize more on Ron than the
other boys. Percy got new robes because of his position as Head Boy. And I
don't see Fred and George getting more than Ron from the family.

I'm rather surprised to hear people chastising the Weasley family for
spending money on the trip to Egypt. It's clear to me, at least, that they
value the closeness of the family much more than buying things. And it's not
like they're deadbeats. They are an honorable family, who are probably poor
mostly because they wished to have a larger family than average. We know
that Arthur *could* be making more money at the MoM if he chose to be
competitive and seek out promotions; instead, he seems to really like his
job and likes to stick with it.

I mean, there is a lot more to a good life than having lots and lots of
money. And I wouldn't be surprised that being all of Draco's horrible
insults to the Weasley family, he's not a wee bit jealous of having brothers
and sisters who love each other and their parents so much.

Suzanne