CHAPTER DISCUSSION Chamber of Secrets Ch. 4, At Flourish and Blotts

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 188782


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> 7.  Hagrid says at the end of the chapter that the Malfoys are rotten to the core, the whole family, "bad blood, that's what it is".  This is the first time we hear about blood in the WW.  What does Hagrid mean?  Does he think evil character can be inherited?  Is this a common opinion in the WW?  How does it fit in with other uses of blood in the series?

Potioncat:
The Webster's New World Dictionary has 12 meanings for the noun blood. Five of them have to do with a biological liquid. The other 7 have to with family or group connection. Twelve meanings of blood. How ironic.

 The WW families we see tend to have strong traits, and the family members are easily identified. There are differences within the family, but certain traits run true. It's typical to refer to that sort of thing as being in the blood. Hagrid speaks in absolutes. He's one who says all bad wizards come from Slytherin.

I think he does believe that the Malfoys' evil nature runs in their blood.  How Hagrid would explain himself given his mother and the type of blood giants have, I cannot say. I suppose he was fortunate to get his blood from the Hagrid line. By the same token, Hagrid values blood. In a few years he'll meet a brother he never knew about and because they are of the same blood, he'll bring Grawp home--a more loving parallel to Petunia and Harry. 

Blood has an important role, or Lily's sacrifice would not have created protective magic between Harry and Petunia. She didn't even have to love him for the bond to work. She only had to provide him a roof.
 
There is a strong theme of the power of blood and family. Yet at times it is undermined by the ability of the individual to be different. I'm not sure if JKR thinks a person can overcome blood or if she thinks those characters managed to get a different set of traits.  
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> Please feel free to add pertinent questions.
Just an observation.  During the Malfoys at Borgins and Burkes, JKR has Lucius speak "darkly." I love it! The other time that jumps out is later on when Sirius has a "bark of laughter."

Thanks again for interesting questions.