14

We all know by now that Slytherin =/= evil. We also know that there have been plenty of good and evil wizards in all four Houses, and that even a few Muggle-borns end up in Slytherin.

But the impression I got from the books is that blood prejudice is something of a Slytherin phenomenon. Even as far back as the founding of the school, Slytherin was the only one who supported excluding Muggle-borns.

So my question is this: is there ever any evidence in the books of a non-Slytherin wizard holding prejudice against wizards descended from Muggles? Note that I'm not looking for people whose House is unknown, but someone who is explicitly not a Slytherin.

|improve this question
  • 7
    "Prejudice" is rarely a - pardon-the-expression - black and white issue. The Weasleys, for example, while not being overtly prejudiced are still a pure-blood family. This is presented as being more by accident than by intent, but it's hard not to see some degree of prejudice at work. – Joe L. Sep 12 '14 at 20:32
  • theirs also a difference in allowing muggleborns to join your school, and another with feeling muggleborns are as good as purebloods, or as capable. which really seems to be almost a new concept. as it seems to surprise purebloods that are not rude toward muggleborns. basicly its like the 50-60s blacks equal rights, but no one expects to have a black boss. now its not even an issue to have a black boss, or a black valedictorian. (some people are still racists, but generally views have shifted) – Himarm Sep 12 '14 at 20:52
  • @Himarm Although the million varieties of in-group / outgroup prejudices will likely persist as long as humans do. In-group preference seems to be part of our genetic makeup - so, whatever we believe ethically, we will likely always gravitate towards people who remind us of ourselves. I'm guessing that's the Weasley brand of prejudice. – Misha R Apr 24 '19 at 3:07
7

We know Dumbledore himself did not like muggleborns and was prejudice against them for many of the early years of his life, we also know Dumbledore went to Gryffindor during his time at Hogwarts. We also have seen parents of students whose children are not in Slytherin have prejudices against muggleborns specifically against Hermione as well as the Minister of Magic himself.

|improve this answer
  • 2
    But did Dumbledore ever express any overt Muggle-born prejudice? Unless I'm misremembering, he was only prejudiced against Muggles. After all, his mom was Muggle-born. – TenthJustice Sep 12 '14 at 21:02
  • 2
    "We also have seen parents of students whose children are not in Slytherin have prejudices against muggleborns specifically against Hermione" I think you really need to cite examples for this. – Anthony Grist Sep 12 '14 at 21:02
  • he did just as much as grindelwald did, in that he was planning on setting wizards above muggles like voldemort was doing, usually that tends to give you some negativity towards muggleborn wizards, especially since muggleborn wizards will oppose you since you just killed their parents... and then in the 4th book before the quidditch world cup, alot of parents are surprised or unbelieving that hermione is the smartest girl of the year, as a muggleborn. – Himarm Sep 12 '14 at 21:37
7

This may be a bit out of the intended scope of your question, but Grindelwald was blood-prejudiced and technically non-Slytherin. He attended Durmstrang Institute until his expulsion, so he belonged to none of the Hogwarts Houses. I don't know of any canon that specifically addresses his stance on Muggleborn wizards, but he sought to dominate Muggles through magic, viewing them as inferior beings. It follows that he likely held a prejudiced view against Muggleborn wizards.

Again, I realize this only very technically meets the "a non-Slytherin wizard holding prejudice" criteria; sorry if this isn't what you're looking for.

|improve this answer
  • Durmstrang didn't even admit Muggle-borns, which means its policies were much more prejudiced than Hogwarts', even with the pureblood sympathizers there. – E. J. Mar 11 '15 at 15:20
  • @E.J. "Durmstrang didn't even admit Muggle-borns" [citation needed] – RedCaio Aug 3 '16 at 18:19
  • 1
    I think I read that Durmstrang didn't admit Muggle-borns on the old Pottermore. Unfortunately, the new Pottermore doesn't seem to include it, although the site does emphasize that Durmstrang has a reputation for the Dark Arts and has twice been led by very suspect headmasters. – E. J. Sep 7 '16 at 1:52
5

Molly Weasley, a Gryffindor, may have been a bit prejudiced.

When Ron meets Harry for the first time, and Harry asked if his family were all wizards, he says he thinks so but his mother might have a second cousin who’s an accountant. Since he says this in response to a question about if his family are all wizards, this implies that the second cousin has no magic, and isn’t simply a wizard with a passion for accounting.

“Are all your family wizards?’ asked Harry, who found Ron just as interesting as Ron found him.

‘Er – yes, I think so,’ said Ron. ‘I think Mum’s got a second cousin who’s an accountant, but we never talk about him.”
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 6 (The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters)

This doesn’t really indicate prejudice on Ron’s part, since it wasn’t his decision not to talk about this relative. However, it could indicate that his mother found having a second cousin who was a Squib or Muggle shameful enough not to talk about. It’s most likely to be his mother who made the rule, since it’s her relative, and Arthur Weasley absolutely loves Muggles - he certainly wouldn’t want to keep quiet about being related to one.

In addition, whoever made the rule would have needed to have some authority over what the family talks about. Ron’s brothers wouldn’t likely have that sort of authority over the family, especially if their mother disagreed with their opinions. It’s possible that the reason they never talk about the accountant second cousin is unrelated to prejudice, but from what Ron says, it certainly seems to be as a result of him not being a wizard.

All of the Weasleys, including both of the Weasley parents were in Gryffindor, so they were explicitly not Slytherin.

“What house are your brothers in?’ asked Harry.

‘Gryffindor,’ said Ron. Gloom seemed to be settling on him again. ‘Mum and Dad were in it, too. I don’t know what they’ll say if I’m not. I don’t suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin.”
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 6 (The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters)

Ron in fact thinks it’d disappoint him parents if he’s in any other house than Gryffindor, and sees being in Slytherin as the worst. The Weasleys were not only not Slytherin, but they may have been actively opposed to Slytherin, given Ron’s reaction to the idea of being sorted there.

|improve this answer
4

Maybe

A possible example is former Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge. Fudge definitely is prejudiced in favor of purebloods:

“You are blinded,” said Dumbledore, his voice rising now, the aura of power around him palpable, his eyes blazing once more, “by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius! You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! Your dementor has just destroyed the last remaining member of a pure-blood family as old as any — and see what that man chose to make of his life!

—Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Unfortunately, we don't know which house Fudge was in. Given his general lack of cunning, and no real evidence of ambition besides his desire to hold onto his office, I would be disinclined to say Slytherin. He strikes me more as the sort who values hard work and fairness, i.e. a Hufflepuff.

More generally, though, blood prejudice is embedded in wizarding society. Slytherins may certainly be the most likely to display it, but it would be extraordinary if they were the only ones.

|improve this answer
1

While it is widely assumed that blood prejudice in the wizarding world is restricted to Slytherin house, it is not. In truth many people in the wizarding world were prejudiced. This belief just mainly sticks to Slytherin because mostly everyone in Slytherin is pure blood and are believers of blood prejudice. This is because when the creators of Hogwarts were choosing who to teach, Salazar Slytherin declared that he would only teach thoose of pure blood.

|improve this answer
  • 2
    True. But could you give some examples? – Adamant Apr 22 '19 at 21:25

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.