[HPforGrownups] Hogwarts letters Re: Choosing sides

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 118830

On 29 Nov 2004 at 19:43, delwynmarch wrote:

> 
> 
> Shaun wrote :
> " It's not the same situation as having magical ability in the HP 
> universe, but a lot of these kids are not formally identified until 
> quite late in their childhoods - age 8 or older is not uncommon, some
> not until their early teens. But many, many of them prior to formal
> identification display tendencies that are 'different' or 'concerning'
> to parents. And I can certainly see a possibility that happens with
> muggle parents of wizarding kids in the HP universe."
> 
> Del replies :
> I don't think it is similar.
> 
> First, a highly gifted kid is highly gifted 24/7. A magical kid oozes
> magic only once in a while, usually when stressed.


Well, no, I'd rather disagree with that. I would say that both are 
'gifted' or 'magical' 24/7.

Some gifted children display their gifts extremely openly, however, 
many do not, and indeed quite often their gifts only apparent 'once 
in a while' (this is one reason why that are often not formally 
identified until they are older). But just because it isn't 
obvious, and isn't being shown, doesn't mean it's not there, and 
it's not still a constant part of their life.

I don't think you can make that assumption for magical children 
either. Rarity of expression does not mean it's not always present.

> Second, a highly gifted kid can't stop being highly gifted, and live
> as a non-gifted kid. A magical kid could learn to master his magic and
> live as a Muggle, as far as we know. I don't remember that we are ever
> told in the books that magical kids who don't receive a magical
> education suffer severe emotional problems. I could be wrong though.

We are not told *anything* about magical kids who don't receive a 
magical education as far as I can recall. And I think it'd be 
rather dangerous to assume that such a child can 'master their 
magic' and live as a Muggle. Especially as if they don't go to 
Hogwarts, it's unlikely they will ever have much idea of what is 
going on.

And while I agree that highly gifted kids can't stop being highly 
gifted, a great many are expected to do so, and live as 'non-
gifted' - sometimes that is something that is done to them 
explicitly, more often it's something they wind up doing by 
default, because they are not offered any help. Many are quite 
successful at doing it - relatively few are happy about it.

You often can suppress your gifts, whatever they are, to lead a 
more 'normal' life. But it's very rarely a good idea in any field 
of human endeavour - most people who do it do wind up unhappy, or 
they find some other outlet (hobbies etc) where they can express 
their gifts. I see very little reason to think magical talent is 
psychologically different from other forms - and I also think it'd 
be one of the hardest areas to find a special outlet for it.


Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia