Mixing the Magical and Muggle Worlds

[Richard Jones]

No: HPFGUIDX 127162


I'm confused by the apparent lack of knowledge of the Muggle world by 
witches and wizards.

In the first book, it says that "loads of" students come from the 
Muggle families.  So any witch or wizard who went to Hogwarts should 
know stuff about them.  Like how to dress like a Muggle.  Also there 
is only one "all magic" town in Britain (Hogsmeade); the rest live in 
London or wherever and so they should know how Muggles dress.  And 
Ron has "trainers" (sneakers).

The magical world has at least one train and one bus, a flying 
motorcycle, a flying car, the Ministry has other cars, and yet 
Arthur — head of the Muggle department — keeps making elementary 
mistakes about technology.

Shaklebolt miscalls "firearms" "firelegs" and yet Hagrid knew what 
the Dursleys' shotgun was.

And why didn't Harry or Hermione or some other Muggle-born ever bring 
a pen to school?

I know it is fun the way JKR is mixing things up, but there doesn't 
seem to be any rhyme or reason to it all.

Richard Jones