Class, Was The wizarding world and empire (for Pip)

[GulPlum <hp@plum.cream.org>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50898

Pen Robinson wrote:

<snip>

> I think you are wrong about that.  Arthur Weasley is patently 
a 'white 
> collar worker', and it seems to me pretty clear that he is fairly 
> senior in the Ministry.  That defines him as middle class, whether
> he has money or not.

I'm not sure when in UK terminology, having a non working-class job 
defined one as middle class. I mean, who would actually consider our 
own esteemed Deputy PM John "Two Jags" Prescott" as Middle Class? :-)

That Arthur Weasley has a determinedly middle-class job does not make 
him middle class.

Actually, as per an earlier discussion on class in the Potterverse, I 
wonder what use the wizarding world has for a true "working  class", 
considering the use of magic to perform  menial tasks. Personally, I 
consider GOF's reference to the person who washes the glasses at the 
Leaky Cauldon an anachronism - after all, we have already encountered 
self-scouring charms and (is it only in the movie? -  I can't 
currently locate my copy of CoS - should I use the phrase?) magical 
dishwashers?

-- 
GulPlum AKA Richard, who would like to repeat the disclaimer in his 
pervious message, which has since got worse. :-)