Classist Hogwarts (was ... was .... was...)

[GulPlum]

No: HPFGUIDX 45502

At 20:10 17/10/02 +0000, swimsalone wrote:

<BIG snip>

>I woud argue that of course a Boarding school is somewhat
>elitist, but the presence of the Weasleys seems to indicate that
>this elitist element is extremely unimportant (except to Ron who
>feels quite put-upon to be poor in a school packed with
>privileged children) in the long run.

<and another hatchet-job>

The subject of class at Hogwarts (and in the Potterverse in general) was 
the subject of a long debate back in July beginning with msg #41210). I had 
a few things to say in that discussion, but don't know what happened as I 
had to bow out of following HPFGU for a while in the middle of it (and 
don't have the time or energy right now to re-read it all). I don't want to 
repeat what I (or others) said then, but I have a few hopefully fresh 
thoughts on this subject.

Before I get stuck in, let's define our terms. I get the impression that 
the word "class" has slightly different undertones on either side of the 
Atlantic. In America, it's almost exclusively about money, and to a lesser 
degree about power. Later down the line comes "breeding", or inheritance. 
In the UK, the priorities are absolutely reversed (it's difficult to talk 
about Britain being a class-ridden society without appreciating that fact).

By whichever measure of "class", Hogwarts as an institution shows no 
preference. We have the purebloods: the wealthy and aristocratic Malfoys, 
the impoverished professional Weasleys, the wealthy Potters about whose 
professional standing we know nothing at present, and the not-apparently 
wealthy Longbottoms. We have the mixed-bloods: Seamus, and Riddle from the 
Muggle orphanage. We have the Muggle-born: Hermione with her professional 
parents, the well-heeled Finch-Fletchley, and the milkman's sons the Creeveys.

Incidentally, some may not be aware of this, but the "milkman" is the 
archetypal English bottom-of-the-ladder in terms of social standing, wealth 
and any other class indicator one can mention. He's the guy who does an 
important job whom nobody notices. A couple of other things, though: the 
milkman is a dying breed in Britain, as more and more people buy their milk 
from supermarkets rather than have it delivered. Furthermore, the milkman 
is the subject of many jokes having affairs with his lady customers while 
their husbands are at work (as is the window-cleaner)... :-)

I think JKR has gone to a great deal of trouble to ensure that we're aware 
that Hogwarts does not differentiate between the backgrounds of its pupils, 
and that pupils get along with those from different social or economic 
backgrounds (though see below). This ties in with my post a couple of days 
ago about "prejudice" being the big theme of the books. The only grounds 
for acceptance at Hogwarts is magical aptitude (which does not have to be 
especially strong; the bare bones are enough; magical power and ability are 
VERY varied in Harry's year), but that is not unreasonable. After all, in 
the real world, a drama or music school (whether privately or publicly 
funded) would not be expected to accept pupils who do not show even the 
barest talent or interest.

Yes, pupils have to acquire their own school supplies. The Weasleys make no 
mention of a bursary or other support system to assist them in kitting out 
the kids, although Riddle who (apparently) had no magical funds when he 
went to Hogwarts managed to have what he needed. It could be that in the 
Weasleys' case, this is another example of their pride and reluctance to 
accept what they might consider to be handouts.

However (and this is a BIG "however"!) in one respect, Hogwarts not only 
turns a blind eye to prejudice, but makes of it a central element in its 
operation: the House system. There is a definite difference in the way the 
four houses are perceived and treated, both by the staff and students. 
House rivalries are encouraged, and inter-House friendships seem to be 
discouraged, if only by the way the school is run. As has been pointed out 
several times before, both the House and Quidditch Cups appear to be mainly 
Slytherin-Gryffindor battles. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are prepared to 
cheer Gryffindor along, as long as Slytherin doesn't win. Hufflepuff are 
generally considered as also-rans. Hence such a big deal being made of 
Cedric's selection as Hogwarts' Champion.

Note, however, that pupils are sorted NOT by their social, familial or 
economic background, but by their own character and aptitudes. "It is not 
important where we came from, but who we are." Poor Riddle with his 
(presumably) not-well-off magical mother and grandfather is sorted into the 
same House as wealthy, aristocratic Malfoy; rich Harry joins the 
impoverished Weasleys.

I would therefore suggest that whilst Hogwarts is not classist (or even 
elitist), it encourages people to distrust those whose priorities and 
characters are different to their own...

--
GulPlum, who really should read through the entire JUly thread sometime...