British culture viewed through the Potterverse. was Re: JKR and the Indan

[Ali]

No: HPFGUIDX 58377

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Anita Sathe <lumos28 at y...> 
wrote:

<<<I have always found it quite interesting that there seem to be no 
foreign students at Hogwarts other than the Indian Patil sisters, 
apart from Seamus, who seems to be Irish - correct me if I'm wrong.  
>>>

In some respects it is strange that there are no "overseas" students 
mentioned. If Draco was nearly sent to Durmstrang, I would expect 
some students to come from abroad. However, I do not thing of the 
Patil sisters or Cho, Dean etc as being foreign. To me, they are 
British.

I believe that JKR has tried to represent British society in 
Hogwarts. The last census in 2001 showed that around 8.8% of the 
population came from an ethnic minority. Given that in Harry's 
Gryffindor year alone, there are 2 students from an ethnic 
background – Dean and Parvati – JKR could even be accused of skewing 
the population slightly. 

Seamus is a slightly different issue. People have argued that the 
four founders of Hogwarts represent the four countries making up the 
British Isles; as such Irish students would naturally come to 
Hogwarts. Also, Northern Ireland is part of the present day United 
Kingdom, and Northern Irish students often go to English/Scottish 
universities. Hogwarts of course, predates all the current unions 
and problems, and the catchment area might simply still include the 
whole of Ireland.

JKR has painted her world, using, what seems to me at least, a very 
English backdrop. I never raised an eyebrow to the House system, 
Prefect System or even the food (though slightly out-dated). But for 
someone without experience of British culture, the first read must 
have been very different.

I'm still not sure quite why the Potterverse has become so huge on 
an international scale – whether it is because of the Britishness, 
or in spite of it! I suspect that it is probably a combination of 
the 2. I never cease to cringe when posters mention Harry's 
graduation; British kids don't graduate from school, so if Harry 
graduates from Hogwarts that will be another first! I have come to 
understand why posters make Harry graduate, but I won't believe it 
unless it happens.

Going back to the issue of ethnicity in the Potterverse, I believe 
that it is only mentioned at all, to show that that particular 
prejudice does not exist. That aspect of a wizard's background does 
not matter. Prejudice is explored through the Muggle/wizard divide. 
To have further issues of prejudice, would I think unduly complicate 
JKR's message.


Ali