[HPforGrownups] Re: Jewish Goblins?

[digger]

No: HPFGUIDX 81461

Sorry , but I have got attributions hopelessly mangled in the process, 
and I apologise unreservedly in advance:


jwcpgh wrote:
> hpfanmatt at g... writes:
>  >
> <snip> The point, as I read it, is not that the Goblins are supposed
> to *represent* Jews, but that the *discrimination* against the
> Goblins is reminiscent of a certain brand of anti-Semitism --
> demonizing (goblinizing?) an entire group because some members are
> successful in business or, particularly, in finance.
> 
> Laura:

> I agree that JKR is trying to make a point about prejudice in the
> RW.  She does so most effectively without having to resort to
> caricatures.  Nemi is suggesting (if I'm reading the posts correctly)
> that the goblins, due to their money-handling ability and the wary
> distance wizards keep from them, are reminiscent of the Jews in
> Europe.  
> The Jews became moneylenders not as punishment per se but because
> Christian theology prevented Christians from engaging in this
> practice.  Jewish understanding of the morality of lending at
> interest is different from the traditional Christian one.  The
> prohibitions imposed on the Jews regarding engaging in various
> professions could, I suppose, be seen as a punishment-the crimes
> being deicide and refusing to see the error of their ways. But it
> wasn't direct and particular punishment for a direct and particular
> act, such as Nemi suggests with the goblins and their rebellions. 
> The anti-Jewish prohibitions grew over time, starting when the Roman
> Empire became Christian and proceeding from there.
> 

digger:
Lets not ascribe the moneylender/keeper in the middle ages exclusively 
to the Jewish community. The Medici family and the Knights Templar were 
both Christian organisations that exerted great political power by 
virtue of taking control of intercontinental banking in their time, 
albeit mostly after the Jews had been removed from this situation.

Let us think on the power that being owed money by someone conveys.
It drove Phillip IV (le Bel) to terrible acts against the Templars, and 
the Medicis suffered expulsion from Florence and loss of political 
power, precisely because they had foreign powers in such great debt to 
them. War was and is very expensive, and in the middle ages was funded 
by loans from Jews, Templars, and Medicis. If you want to wipe out your 
debt, wipe out the people that you are in hock to. Its an easy route to 
a more healthy cash flow!

I get the feeling Fudge has a MOM financial crisis looming that makes 
Ludo Bagman's look very small-time indeed, and that it will be crucial 
in the Goblins deciding whose side they are on. Bill Weasley will be on 
hand to help them in that decision. Why do I think so? Because of those 
'nutty' reports in The Quibbler about Fudge trying to take control of 
Gringotts. I have this odd feeling they are on a par with Ron's jokey 
predictions; they will prove to be true.

Roll on Book Six say I.

"digger"