Hogwarts letters Re: Choosing sides

[kjirstem]

No: HPFGUIDX 118924


> barmaid here:
> 
> What canon is there to back up the idea that Muggleborns must
>"leave the Muggle World" and be confined withing the WW??  
<snipped rest of post...>

kjirstem:

I don't think the magic folk are confined to the WW precisely, but
they are effectively cut off from the Muggle world.  First, as Jim
points out downthread, there is the requirement that the WW be kept
secret from Muggles.  Then, there is the very different education. 
Third, the WW uses a different monetary system.  All three of these
things are part of canon and all work to keep wizards and Muggles
separate.  

For education, we have the Hogwarts curriculum.  I don't think too
many Muggle employers or universities would find it adequate. 
Hermione might be able to go to a Muggle college post-Hogwarts, she's
smart and works hard and might be able to overcome the lack of a
traditional education, but who would admit her?  Maybe in the interest
of student diversity, and that's about it.  

Then there is money.  There is evidence that folks in the WW aren't
too familiar with Muggle money. In GOF (Ch 7) Arthur Weasley needs
help figuring out RW money to pay for his campsite, which indicates to
me that he doesn't use RW cash often.  Now, someone who is raised in a
Muggle household will understand Muggle money, but if they are
employed in the WW then presumably they are paid in galleons.  They
can exchange their money at Gringotts, but there is that barrier to
easy commerce.  

So, I don't think it is that wizards are confined to the WW so much as
that there are barriers between the WW and Muggle world.  And, I think
these barriers make the choice quite different from the immigrant or
gifted kid scenarios that have been described.  

kjirstem