Identifying Enemies (was:Bullying WAS: Re: Prodigal Sons)

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 141024

Hickengruendler:

I do not think Molly is that prejudiced, but why was this stupid?
Because we know it didn't work in the end. Arthur was open-minded
enough to try using some methods, that work very well in the muggle
world. I don't find this stupid at all. And it is suggested in Canon
(admittingly only through an assumption by Hermione, but we know that
Hermione is mostly right in such cases), that there was something in
the snake's venom that hept the stitches from working. Meaning it's
very well possible that the methods do work for other magical
injuries. Though I have to admit I have no idea, why the wizards
should use them, if they have much faster healing methods.

a_svirn:

No, neither do I. Also, it seems to me that suggesting oneself as a 
test-subject when one's case is not desperate is to carry one's open-
mindedness a bit too far. 


Betsy Hp:
Oh, absolutely. It's interesting, to me, that JKR has included this
within the Weasley family. Both parents *are* rather old-fashioned
in their views on muggles. Arthur has his polite prejudices as
well. Though I will say Arthur seems more aware of how easily a
wizard can victimize a muggle. I think it's something Molly doesn't
even think about. Nor does she want to. That is perfectly
illustrated, IMO, after the twins baited Dudley. Arthur tries to
make the point that they behaved badly because the played their
trick on a muggle. Molly is upset that they played a trick, period.

a_svirn:

You know I don't quite see what you mean when you say "prejudice". 
Prejudice implies certain stereotypes, irrational and erroneous 
assumptions. However, inequality in Rowling's Universe is not an 
assumption, it's a sad reality. And Arthur is certainly not the only 
one who's aware of that. It's just that bullies and criminals among 
wizards go ahead victimizing muggles, while decent people like 
Arthur try to prevent them from doing so. And conformists don't give 
a damn and see to their comforts.