Nel Question #4: Class and Elitism

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 125693


1. Of course it IS "fundamentally" elitist, that Muggles are 
incapable of becoming wizards. Fundamentally in the sense that it is 
the in the nature of things. It is NOT a social order, it a NATURAL 
one. Muggles are not capable of magic while wizards are. That makes 
wizards a breed apart and infinitely superior one at that. Unlike our 
own world where racism is but a failed ideology in the WW it is a 
fact of life, complete with racial segregation in the guise of 
the "International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy". And interestingly 
enough not even the most ardent muggle-lovers pose to question the 
Statute and the way Ministry set out to implement it (Obliviators 
etc.). 

Strictly speaking there may be more races that just these two if we 
count giants and veela (and since Fleur's grandmother was a veela we 
can assume that they at least are human), but we don't know enough 
about them to speculate. And I don't think it would be all that 
interesting. After all most of us can't help but identify with 
Muggles – a fact that makes muggle/wizard relationship far more 
interesting topic than "magical brethren". Although JKR 
understandably prefers us to focus on the magical part of the 
specter, since that way we won't dwell on the fundamental inequality 
of the Potterverse. 

2. Yes I think there most certainly is something wrong with the way 
JKR presents Muggles in books. We have only seen the particularly 
nasty specimen so far, and potentially nice Hermione's parents are 
of no interest to JKR; she said "they are just dentists" (meaning, I 
think, "just Muggles"). Understandable perhaps (since that way we 
are not inclined to be sympathetic) but this is growing clumsier 
with every book. 

Squibs – I think the term says it all. They are handicapped children 
who grow up to become handicapped adults. Some of them let misery 
and bitterness to take over their better nature like Filch; some are 
trying to adjust like Arabella Figg. 

As for the Evans family we don't know enough to speculate. Lily's 
parents could love her more simply because she was charming and kind 
unlike sulky and spiteful Petunia. 

3. It wouldn't hurt to read "Hogwarts, A History" first, before 
answer the question, but yes it is an elitist establishment simply 
because it is the school which only precious few with the magical 
ability can attend. In a sense it is more exclusive even than Eton 
or Harrow: if your name isn't down there since your birth NOTHING, 
neither money nor connections can ever change the fact. JKR 
emphasises the exclusive nature of the school making it superficially 
like English private schools. Besides, she goes out of her way to 
describe Hogwart's splendour. They even eat off gold plates and 
drink from gold goblets for God's sake! 

When it comes to elitism, there is also a question of muggle-borns 
of course. But since it wasn't specified in #3 it probably belongs 
elsewhere. 

About the Song. I don't think there is something Etonesque about it. 
But it does betray rather slighting attitude towards Hufflepuff. 

4. Harry is not a member of elite in Hogwarts. But there is no 
denying that he is a "DD's favourite boy", and that DD is not shy 
when it comes to playing favourites. 

5. I am not at all sure that there is such thing as "Blood vs. 
Choice" problem. Children may follow their parents' steps just 
because they are brought up certain way, not because it's in 
their "blood". The same character trait may be encouraged by the 
Malfoys and quelled by the Weasleys and their children's choices may 
be influenced accordingly. As we know Harry could have easily ended 
up in Slytherin if Hagrid hadn't warned him about its "dark" 
reputation and Draco hadn't confirmed his already bad opinion. 

6. Hmm
 Draco's rendition of the WW's elitist ideology does look a 
bit too simplistic. On the other hand bigotry of any kind is not 
that complicated. It's about retaining one's privileges and 
despising those who aren't privileged enough. Draco's problem is 
that he's too weak to be convincing. If JKR chose to give Harry a 
more worthy opponent his "elitism" might look a bit more compelling. 

As for Stan Shunpike – we know on the authority of JKR that under DD 
at least Hogwarts is open for everyone born with magical ability. 
She knows best, I suppose.

a_svirn