Muggle Mingling

[Carol Bainbridge]

No: HPFGUIDX 43560

I apologize if this subject has come up.  I've been lurking for several 
months and don't recall having seen it.  Anyway...

Several people have wondered about where young wizards go to school before 
they go to Hogwarts.  I've wondered that too, and then I've wondered about 
something that I think is related.

If little wizard children go to little wizard schools, it does seem odd 
that we would hear absolutely nothing about them.  I've also gotten the 
impression -- but that's all it is -- that little wizards and witches stay 
at home, so the suggestion of homeschooling does seem reasonable.  On the 
other hand, it seems strange for the entire wizard community to rely 
exclusively on homeschooling to educate all the wizard and witch 
children.  And then I do wonder what the subjects are that are taught.

If, however, little wizard children go to Muggle schools, why is Muggle 
behavior so strange to wizards that they must offer a class at Hogwarts in 
order to learn about it?

Now, leaving aside that idea of wizard children going to Muggle schools, 
there is still a question of why wizards are so unfamiliar with Muggle 
life.  We learn that Hogsmead is the only wizard-only village in 
England.  That must mean that wizards do live in the same communities with 
Muggles.  Why then are they so unfamiliar with Muggle things?  How could 
they help but notice how Muggles were living and dressing?    Why should 
telephones be so mysterious?  Why should it be so hard for them to dress as 
Muggles.

I can understand how Muggles might miss the fact that their neighbors are 
wizards what with various kinds of bewitching.  Of course, it would strike 
me as odd that some of my neighbors not only didn't have a phone, but 
barely knew what it was.  I suppose even that could be bewitched away, but 
it wouldn't explain why wizards and witches living among Muggles would be 
so clueless about the way Muggles live.

Thoughts?

Carol Bainbridge
(kaityf at jorsm.com)

http://www.lcag.org