Selfish Weasleys? Re: Molly & Arthur - was Why I like Ginny!

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 123648


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Jocelyn Grunow 
<aandj at l...> wrote:

> For example, the Weasleys' poverty is often discussed, but why 
are they poor?  Because Arthur's job doesn't pay well.  Why 
doesn't he get a  better paying job? <snip>.  All well and good, 
and I certainly don't want to suggest he should move to a job he 
hated, but he has 6 children to support & establish - isn't this a 
very selfish decision?
>
Pippin:
I guess it depends on what you mean by selfish. Draco Malfoy 
says the Weasleys have more children than they can afford. The 
Weasleys would rather have lots of  children and give  less to 
each than have just one showered with material 
advantages, like some of the other wizarding families we've 
seen. 

It's  just not a Weasley priority, say,  to get new clothes for their 
children when there are perfectly serviceable used ones 
available, even if other children in their social class get new 
clothes every year. Fortunately wizards don't place a high value 
on being like everyone else.

Here's what Jo had to say about that...
http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/1999/0399-salon-weir.ht
m
The wizards represent all that the true "muggle" most fears: They 
are plainly outcasts and comfortable with being so. Nothing is 
more unnerving to the truly conventional than the unashamed 
misfit! 
----
You know, that quote really explains a lot about the WW.

Pippin