Death Eaters fom a political angle

[Eddie]

No: HPFGUIDX 160892

> minerva_523:
> I am trying to figure out just exactly what the Death Eaters
> symbolize. [...] nazism [...] radical group [...] anarchy [...]
> right wing anarchism

Eddie:
All the groups you mentioned (and many more) share many of the same
characteristics, so maybe you can take your pick.

They also have a lot in common with street gangs: one leader, the
biggest baddest dude, and the various henchmen.  Take a look at
Dudley's gang.  It's pretty much the same organizational structure and
goals: to beat up anybody the big bad dude doesn't like and have
everybody live in a subservient position to them.

There are definite racist themes in this book.  The hoods the Death
Eaters wear sound exactly like the Ku Klux Klan wardrobe here in
America.  I don't believe JKRowling wrote that parallel naively.

I wouldn't say anarchy.  Voldemort has a very firm grip on the
organization.  So more like a dictator.  I think the muggle-taunting
at the Quidditch World Cup was anarchy, but Voldemort clearly looked
down at that activity.  He wanted them to be using their "talents" for
better purpose.

"Right Wing" has a lot of connotaions I'm not prepared to match up
with thugs like Voldemort.  But I understand your point.  The
stereotype of "right wing" is intolerant of diversity (racial,
political, religious, economic), but the "right wing" is more complex
than that.

Maybe "radical group" sort of fits, in the context that they want to
overthrow the existing power structure.  But I just can't get past the
image of the radicals marching in the streets with picket signs,
standing on soapboxes shouting slogans to incite the public.  These
Death Eater people don't really want to incite the public as much as
scare the public into submission.

Interesting thread!

Eddie