Weasley Poverty - In Perspective

[hogsheadbarmaid]

No: HPFGUIDX 123751


va32h wrote:
 
I wonder if this subject isn't being a bit over-thought.

Harry's being rich is a plot device. How else is an orphaned child 
whose caretakers despise him going to pay for his unusual schooling? 
Well, conveniently, he has inherited a bunch of wizard gold from his 
parents.
 
Ron's poverty is another plot device. First, it sets up a surce of 
conflict between him and Harry that runs throughout the book. 
Second, it sets up a conflict between Draco and Ron (and by 
association Harry). 
 
Many times, the "poverty" of Ron's character is essential to the 
story. Ron can't afford a new wand when his is broken, so he has to 
use his faulty one, which then backfires when Lockhart is trying to 
use a memory charm on Ron & Harry - thus saving the boys.
 
Ron't family can't buy him a new pet, so they keep the old rat 
Scabbers, who sets the entire plot of PoA rolling. 
 
Some elements of the books are there to be exactly that - an element 
of the story, not a social commentary. 
 
I don't understand why a book series that is based primarily on the 
notion that there is an alternate world full of people with magical 
powers is criticized for not having enough cold hard realism.
 
va32h

Barmaid:

While I do lay out a sort of social commentary argument in my post on
this topic (123734) I also agree with you.  This is, at its core, a
plot device.  The poverty/wealth contrast between the Malfoys and the
Weasleys serves to reveal certain social constructs in the wizarding
world no doubt, but much of what we see of the Weasley's so called
poverty is simply a great way to get us information we need or to move
the story in a way it must be moved.

On this and many topics on these boards, I think your remark "I don't
understand why a book series that is based primarily on the notion
that there is an alternate world full of people with magical powers is
criticized for not having enough cold hard realism." is well considered. 

-- Barmaid... who over-thinks as a way of life!