Ravenclaw House

Susan Hall’s chapter titled, “Marx, Magic, and Muggles: Class Conflict in Harry Potter’s World,” talks about the social class in the wizarding world. Throughout the Harry Potter books, you see the constant division in social classes between the characters. One of the best examples is looking at the Malfoy family.

Throughout U.S. history and the wizarding world, social class can be a privilege or a disadvantage. “Class conflict is fueled by unjust treatment of various groups in any society based not on inherent merit but on external factors such as wealth or family connections” (272). Unjust treatment is not something we are blind to, being that it has played a huge role in world history.  People use power as a way to Having power or money gets to people and they don’t always use it in the best way.

Looking at the differences between the social classes I thought about an interesting parallel. The use of house-elves, such as dobby, come from bourgeoisie families like the Malfoy’s or the Black’s. Thinking about the house-elves and how they are treated in the wizarding world, reminds me of rich landowners in the south and how African American slaves were treated. They are in a similar situation. It also brings light to how much pride both families have on being “pure” blooded rather than mixed such as muggles. Similar to how rich people in the south felt about African Americans.

I can also relate the hierarchy in the magic of ministry to the Nazi’s or the KGB.  “It is as important for a wizard or witch who wishes to rise in magical society to keep on good terms with the ministry as being “a good party comrade” used to be in the former USSR” (273.) When I see this quote I think about how Nazi’s or KBG members did what they were told and were very set in their ways to climb the later. If they do something wrong they are basically banished, so as in harry potter world they are sent to Azkaban these men who were Nazi’s or KBG members, were killed or sent to camps.

Social class has always shaped how people act. Being rich means power, and from there they think they are untouchable and they can do whatever they want. Changing their ways takes a long time if they ever do. They were born and raised with this perceived notion that they are the best and everyone is less. Just like the Malfoy’s looking at the Weasley’s. Their kids go to the same school, they work in the same place but yet there is a huge divide between them. You see the Weasley’s as being forgiving and welcoming and then the Malfoy’s are rude and unwelcoming.  Not everyone is like this though, you have Harry who has a lot of money in his vault but he was raised basically having nothing that he doesn’t splurge on things like those that have money usually do. You can also look at Sirius Black. He grew up with money but he doesn’t act wrong.

Referring back to the Nazi’s and the wizarding world you can see the similarities in liking “pure bloods” rather than “mudbloods’.” To Hitler if you weren’t a blonde haired blue eyed person and you weren’t a Christian you were not worthy. To many in the wizarding world if you’re not the cookie cutter witch or wizard you’re not worthy.

It’s very interesting to see how J.K. Rowling set up their social classes. She followed what she has seen throughout history and a lot of what was happening back when the ministry of magic was created. Just like any history, it takes someone brave to stand up to the man and prove to them that change is capable. You just have to get rid of the bad people to understand the good.