Why the Malfoys Are This Way, Female Characters, and Sociology

[jchutney]

No: HPFGUIDX 33467

Southernscotland wrote:
***I have a little theory (please be gentle and use candles instead 
of flames!) about why the Malfoys might not like muggles. They are 
afraid of them (us).***

I totally agree with this theory.  Even though we're told fire did 
not work on real witches, it's still possible to "attack" a wizard 
or witch if they're sleeping, etc.  Also, anyone with magical 
ability would be met by great fear and predjudice.  Wizards like the 
Malfoys hatred of muggles is clearly a reaction to the hatred muggles 
have of wizards.  Obviously prejudice is a two-way street.  The 
Dursleys and the Malfoys are both prejudiced.  And as powerful as 
Lucius might be, ANYONE can be taken down if you have the right plan 
of attack.  

***And to get really non-politically correct, it might explain why 
some women in the Potterverse aren't maybe as assertive (yet) as 
women in the muggle world are. Seems to me that since females were 
often the ones persecuted and even put to death, that would be pretty 
fearsome (for the women who were left) to deal with. It might take 
them a few centuries to get over, in a culture. ***

But are women in the muggle world really different from women in the 
wizard world?  Sure America and Europe are "feminist" but in most 
parts of the world, women are second-class citizens.  And honestly, 
even though I love America, I can not deny that there is definite 
prejudice against women.  The only fields in which women make more 
money than money are prostitution and modeling.  Most of the top 
executives, politicians, sports stars are men.  And an incredibly 
high percentage of "successful" women graduated from all-female 
high schools and colleges.  Sadly, many otherwise bright girls go the 
way of Lavendar and Parvati (boy-crazy and silly) than the way of 
Hermione in a co-ed environment.  What do we know about Pansy except 
that she shadows Draco?  And yet, isn't she "realistic" according 
to our own life experiences?

***Another point I've wondered: why haven't the wizards in the 
Potterverse simply taken over the muggle world, as they easily could 
have? Just because they don't like our world and are afraid of it? ***

Look at the disunity in the wizarding world.  There is too much in-
fighting for that to work.  Besides, if they did  they would be a 
visible but tiny minority – quite vulnerable to the muggle majority.  
If you've got 10,000 muggles to 1 wizard, eventually the muggles 
will figure a way to win out.  Besides, muggles can be quite 
brilliant and inventive.