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| − | [[File: |
+ | [[File:HermioneFourthBirthday.jpg|thumb|229x229px|Muggle-born Hermione Granger is the daughter of two Muggle dentists]] |
{{Dialogue a-b|Lily Evans|Does it make a difference, being Muggle-born?|Severus Snape|No. It doesn’t make any difference.|Lily Evans asking [[Severus Snape]] about the [[wizarding world]] as a child|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}} |
{{Dialogue a-b|Lily Evans|Does it make a difference, being Muggle-born?|Severus Snape|No. It doesn’t make any difference.|Lily Evans asking [[Severus Snape]] about the [[wizarding world]] as a child|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}} |
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| − | '''Muggle-born''' is the term given to a [[Wizardkind|witch or wizard]] who is born to two [[Muggle|non-magical parents]]. Their[[magic| magical abilities]] do not seem to be at all affected by their Muggle parentage. In fact, many Muggle-borns have been among the most talented witches and wizards of their |
+ | '''Muggle-born''' (pejoratively known as '''mudblood''') is the term given to a [[Wizardkind|witch or wizard]] who is born to two [[Muggle|non-magical parents]]. Their[[magic| magical abilities]] do not seem to be at all affected by their Muggle parentage. In fact, many Muggle-borns have been among the most talented witches and wizards of their age, such as [[Lily Evans]] and [[Hermione Granger]]. |
| − | The proportion of the wizarding population that is Muggle-born is on the rise as the [[pure-blood]] families shrink in size and number.<ref>[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/faq_view.cfm?id=100 F.A.Q.: Pure-bloods] at [[J.K.Rowling Official Site|J.K. Rowling's Official Site]]</ref> |
+ | The proportion of the wizarding population that is Muggle-born is on the rise as the [[pure-blood|pure-]][[pure-blood|blood]] families shrink in size and number.<ref>[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/faq_view.cfm?id=100 F.A.Q.: Pure-bloods] at [[J.K.Rowling Official Site|J.K. Rowling's Official Site]]</ref> |
==Origin of magical abilities== |
==Origin of magical abilities== |
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| − | Muggle-borns inherit [[magic]] from a distant ancestor; they are descended from [[Squib|Squibs]] |
+ | Muggle-borns inherit [[magic]] from a distant ancestor; they are descended from [[Squib|Squibs ]]who have married [[Muggle|Muggles]] and whose families had lost the knowledge of their wizarding legacy. The magic resurfaces unexpectedly many generations later.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080828113728/http://www.bloomsbury.com/harrypotter/default.aspx?sec=3 30 July 2007 Bloomsbury Webchat with J.K. Rowling]</ref> |
Because of the heritable traits of magic, Muggle-born siblings are possible, as in the case of [[Colin Creevey|Colin]] and [[Dennis Creevey]]. However, this is not always the case, as Lily Evans' sister [[Petunia Dursley|Petunia]] was a Muggle. |
Because of the heritable traits of magic, Muggle-born siblings are possible, as in the case of [[Colin Creevey|Colin]] and [[Dennis Creevey]]. However, this is not always the case, as Lily Evans' sister [[Petunia Dursley|Petunia]] was a Muggle. |
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==Attitude towards Muggle-borns== |
==Attitude towards Muggle-borns== |
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{{Quote|No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood.|[[Draco Malfoy]] to Muggle-born Hermione Granger|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}} |
{{Quote|No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood.|[[Draco Malfoy]] to Muggle-born Hermione Granger|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}} |
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| + | [[File:MBRC clear.png|left|thumb|220x220px|A symbol of the prejudice that exists against Muggle-borns]] |
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| − | [[File:Mudblood_sliced_into_Hermione's_arm_by_Bellatrix_Lestrange..jpg|thumb|249x249px|"Mudblood" carved into [[Hermione Granger]]'s arm by [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]|left]] |
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| ⚫ | Muggle-born witches and wizards are often derided by [[pure-blood|pure-bloods]] and called disparaging names such as "[[Mudblood]]", a term implying that they are somehow dirty and impure. Many pure-bloods believe that Muggle-borns are unworthy of magic and should not be allowed into the wizarding world. During the period of time where Muggle-borns were being rounded up, a news article from the [[Daily Prophet|''Daily Prophet'']] stated that Muggle-borns could have only obtained magic by force or theft. |
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| + | Those who do not share these beliefs, such as the [[Weasley family]], are often labelled as "[[blood traitor|blood traitors]]".<ref name="CS">{{COS}}</ref> [[Harry Potter]] who was half-blood was marked as "Undesirable No.1" during the height of the [[Second Wizarding War ]]for his pro Muggle views and his stance against Lord Voldemort and his new regime. |
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| ⚫ | Muggle-born witches and wizards are often derided by [[pure-blood|pure-bloods]] and called disparaging names such as "[[Mudblood]]", a term implying that they are somehow dirty and impure. Many pure-bloods believe that Muggle-borns are unworthy of magic and should not be allowed into the wizarding world. During the period of time where Muggle-borns were being rounded up, a news article from the Daily Prophet stated that Muggle-borns could have only obtained magic by force or theft. |
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===History of persecution=== |
===History of persecution=== |
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| − | {{Dialogue a-b-a|Remus Lupin|Muggle-borns are being rounded up as we speak.|Ron Weasley|But how are they supposed to have 'stolen' magic? It's mental, if you could steal magic there wouldn't be any |
+ | {{Dialogue a-b-a|Remus Lupin|Muggle-borns are being rounded up as we speak.|Ron Weasley|But how are they supposed to have 'stolen' magic? It's mental, if you could steal magic there wouldn't be any Squibs, would there?|I know. Nevertheless, unless you can prove that you have at least one close wizarding relative, you are now deemed to have obtained your magical power illegally and must suffer the punishment.|[[Remus Lupin]] explaining the Ministry of Magic's attitude while under [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] control|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}} |
| + | [[Salazar Slytherin]], one of the founders of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], argued that the school should only admit pure-bloods as students, as [[Durmstrang Institute]] does. Slytherin's views were considered unusual at the time; most wizards of his era not only accepted Muggle-borns but actually considered them especially gifted, and referred to them by the affectionate term "[[Magbob|Magbobs]]".<ref>"[https://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/pure-blood Pure-Blood]" by J.K. Rowling, Pottermore, retrieved 7 November 2015 |
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| + | </ref> The other three founders of Hogwarts favoured admitting all witches and wizards as students and opposed Slytherin on this point. |
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| − | [[Salazar Slytherin]], one of the founders of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], argued that the school should only admit pure-bloods as students, as [[Durmstrang Institute]] does. As a result of the disagreement, he left. Before leaving, Slytherin created the [[Chamber of Secrets]], hoping that his true heir would arrive and set the monster on those who he deemed unworthy of magic. [[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]], having discovered his ancestry, went on to set the basilisk on his fellow Hogwarts students in 1943, finally killing [[Myrtle|one student]]. |
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| − | |||
| − | + | As a result of the disagreement, Slytherin left the school. Before leaving, he created the [[Chamber of Secrets]], hoping that his true heir would one day set the [[Basilisk|monster]] contained within the Chamber on those who he deemed unworthy of magic. [[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]], having discovered his ancestry, went on to set the basilisk on his fellow Hogwarts students in 1943, finally killing [[Myrtle Warren|one student]]. Fifty years later in 1992, by means of his diary Horcrux, he possessed [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]] and reopened the Chamber of Secrets. The monster petrified several people, including [[Colin Creevey]], [[Penelope Clearwater]], [[Hermione Granger]], [[Justin Finch-Fletchley]], and even the [[Gryffindor]] [[ghost]], [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington]], as well as Filch's cat, Mrs Norris. |
|
Tom Riddle, later known as Lord Voldemort, took this prejudice to an even greater extreme with his followers, the Death Eaters, despite the fact that he himself was a [[half-blood]]. |
Tom Riddle, later known as Lord Voldemort, took this prejudice to an even greater extreme with his followers, the Death Eaters, despite the fact that he himself was a [[half-blood]]. |
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| + | [[File:MudbloodsPampletPottermore.png|thumb|249x249px|[[Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society|''Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society'']]|left]] |
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| − | [[File:Ron as Reg in trial.JPG|left|thumb|250x250px|A Muggle-born witch on trial for "stealing magic" in [[1997]]]] |
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| − | When Voldemort seized control of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in 1997, Muggle-borns were required to register with the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]]. Political propaganda claimed that Muggle-borns were really Muggles who had stolen magic from "real" witches and wizards, supported by research supposedly carried out by the [[Department of Mysteries]]. The Ministry continued to promote the belief with the distribution of agitprop such as the pamphlet '' |
+ | When Voldemort seized control of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in 1997, Muggle-borns were required to register with the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]]. Political propaganda claimed that Muggle-borns were really Muggles who had stolen magic from "real" witches and wizards, supported by research supposedly carried out by the [[Department of Mysteries]]. The Ministry continued to promote the belief with the distribution of agitprop such as the pamphlet ''Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society''. The Commission punished anyone who could not prove to have wizarding heritage for this alleged action, sentencing them to [[Azkaban]]. Anyone who resisted was threatened with, and perhaps given, the [[Dementor's Kiss]]. They also issued two [[Ministerial Decree|Ministerial Decrees]] stating that it was any wizards' duty to report suspected "Mudbloods" to them and that failure to do so would result in imprisonment. |
| − | This led some Muggle-borns, such as [[Dirk Cresswell]], to forge their family trees. Those who refused to register, such as [[Ted Tonks]], were forced to go on the run and were pursued by [[Snatchers]], sometimes fatally. |
+ | This led some Muggle-borns, such as [[Dirk Cresswell]], to forge their family trees. Those who refused to register, such as [[Ted Tonks]], were forced to go on the run and were pursued by [[Snatchers]], sometimes fatally. |
| − | This was ended with Voldemort's final defeat in |
+ | This was ended with Voldemort's final defeat in 1998 and the reform of the Ministry under new [[Minister for Magic]] [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]]. Hermione Granger would be crucial in eliminating pro-pure-blood laws as a high-ranking member of the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]].<ref name="DH" /> |
===Subtler prejudice=== |
===Subtler prejudice=== |
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| − | {{Dialogue a-b-a|Slughorn|Your mother was Muggle-born of course. Couldn't believe it when I found out. Thought she must have been pure-blood, she was so good... Funny how that sometimes happens, isn't it?|Harry|Not really.|You mustn't think I'm prejudiced! No, no, no! Haven't I just said your mother was one of my all-time favourite students?|Horace Slughorn and Harry Potter in [[1996]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}} |
+ | {{Dialogue a-b-a|Horace Slughorn|Your mother was Muggle-born of course. Couldn't believe it when I found out. Thought she must have been pure-blood, she was so good... Funny how that sometimes happens, isn't it?|Harry Potter|Not really.|You mustn't think I'm prejudiced! No, no, no! Haven't I just said your mother was one of my all-time favourite students?|Horace Slughorn and Harry Potter in [[1996]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}} |
| + | [[File:Slug Club 6.jpg|thumb|235x235px|The [[Slug Club]], Slughorn's hand-picked students, some of which are Muggle-born]] |
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| − | There are also indications that a subtler, less virulent form of prejudice against Muggle-borns is relatively common in the wizarding world. For example, [[Horace Slughorn]] discriminated more on the grounds of talent or fame, rather than [[blood purity|blood status]], and thus included particularly talented Muggle-borns such as [[Hermione Granger]], Lily Evans, and [[Dirk Cresswell]] among his |
+ | There are also indications that a subtler, less virulent form of prejudice against Muggle-borns is relatively common in the wizarding world. For example, [[Horace Slughorn]] discriminated more on the grounds of talent or fame, rather than [[blood purity|blood status]], and thus included particularly talented Muggle-borns such as [[Hermione Granger]], Lily Evans, and [[Dirk Cresswell]] among his favourite students. However, he generally expected his more talented students to be [[pure-blood|pure-bloods]] and was surprised when Muggle-borns performed very well. When he remarked upon this to [[Harry Potter]] in 1996 and Harry responded coldly, Slughorn was genuinely surprised, and insisted that he was not prejudiced.<ref name="HBP">{{HBP}}</ref> This may indicate that even among those who do not believe Muggle-borns are inherently inferior or "dirty", there tends to be a false belief that most Muggle-borns are less [[magic|magically]] talented than those with wizarding heritage. However, Slughorn could have also meant that since Muggle-borns are not raised around magic, it is all the more astonishing when they do very well in school. |
The [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] also seemed to have mildly favoured pure-bloods for many years before it was reformed after the [[Second Wizarding War]], as there were still "pro-pure-blood laws" in existence, which Hermione later eliminated. [[Albus Dumbledore]] also once accused [[Minister for Magic]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] himself of placing too much importance on blood purity, as Fudge was sided more with old, wealthy and influential pure-blood families such as the [[Malfoy family|Malfoys]], and looked down upon those who had less wealth and more affiliation with [[Muggle|Muggles]], like the [[Weasley family|Weasleys]]<ref name="GOF">{{GOF}}</ref>. |
The [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] also seemed to have mildly favoured pure-bloods for many years before it was reformed after the [[Second Wizarding War]], as there were still "pro-pure-blood laws" in existence, which Hermione later eliminated. [[Albus Dumbledore]] also once accused [[Minister for Magic]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] himself of placing too much importance on blood purity, as Fudge was sided more with old, wealthy and influential pure-blood families such as the [[Malfoy family|Malfoys]], and looked down upon those who had less wealth and more affiliation with [[Muggle|Muggles]], like the [[Weasley family|Weasleys]]<ref name="GOF">{{GOF}}</ref>. |
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| − | It was a widely held belief in the wizarding world that Muggle-borns were more likely to produce Squib children and slower to show signs of magic in childhood than pure or half-blood wizards. These stereotypes were disproven by the [[Institute of Muggle Studies]], though they also disproved the positive beliefs that Muggle-borns have greater immunity to wizarding illnesses and a natural sense of rhythm.<ref>''[[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test]] - Grade 1, Question 16</ref> |
+ | It was a widely held belief in the wizarding world that Muggle-borns were more likely to produce Squib children and slower to show signs of magic in childhood than pure or half-blood wizards. These stereotypes were disproven by the [[Institute of Muggle Studies]], though they also disproved the positive beliefs that Muggle-borns have greater immunity to wizarding illnesses and a natural sense of rhythm.<ref>''[[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test]] - Grade 1, Question 16''</ref> |
==Known Muggle-borns== |
==Known Muggle-borns== |
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| + | <gallery widths="90" orientation="portrait" spacing="small" position="center"> |
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| − | [[File:Myrtle1.PNG|thumb|216x216px|Myrtle Warren, a Muggle-born witch.]] |
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| − | *[[Hermoine granger]] |
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| ⚫ | Pepe4.jpg|[[Penelope Clearwater]]<ref>There is some confusion over Penelope Clearwater's blood status. In ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets|Chamber of Secrets]]'', Penelope was [[Petrification|petrified]] along with [[Colin Creevey]], [[Justin Finch-Fletchley]], [[Hermione Granger]], [[Nearly-Headless Nick]], and [[Mrs. Norris]]. The petrifications were described as a series of "four attacks on Muggle-borns" in chapter 14 and Ginny Weasley (possessed by [[Tom Riddle's diary|Tom Riddle's memory]]) was described as having "set the Serpent of Slytherin on four Mudbloods, and the Squib's cat" in Chapter 17. However, it is possible that the fourth Muggle-born in addition to Colin, Hermione, and Justin (who are all definitively identified as Muggle-borns at some point) was Nearly-Headless Nick, and that Penelope was simply petrified because she was with Hermione when she encountered the [[basilisk]]. In ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows|Deathly Hallows]]'', Hermione posed as Penelope when under interrogation by [[Snatchers]], and claimed to be [[half-blood]]. Although, Hermione may have only lied about Penelope's blood status because mentioning she's Muggle-born would have possibly made things worse.</ref> (possibly) |
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| + | </gallery> |
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*[[Alderton]]<ref>When he was interrogated by the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]] in [[1997]], Alderton claimed to be a [[half-blood]]. He may have been lying in an attempt to save himself, or he may genuinely have been related to [[Arkie Alderton]].</ref> |
*[[Alderton]]<ref>When he was interrogated by the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]] in [[1997]], Alderton claimed to be a [[half-blood]]. He may have been lying in an attempt to save himself, or he may genuinely have been related to [[Arkie Alderton]].</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | *[[Dennis Creevey]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | *[[Lily Evans]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
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*[[Nobby Leach]]<ref name="pottermore">''[[Pottermore]]''</ref> |
*[[Nobby Leach]]<ref name="pottermore">''[[Pottermore]]''</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
*[[Garrick Ollivander's mother|Mrs. Ollivander]]<ref name="pottermore" /> |
*[[Garrick Ollivander's mother|Mrs. Ollivander]]<ref name="pottermore" /> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | *[[Dirk Cresswell]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
*[[Tertius]] |
*[[Tertius]] |
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==Behind the scenes== |
==Behind the scenes== |
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*[[Hannah Abbott]] was originally listed as a Muggle-born on [[J. K. Rowling]]'s draft list of students in [[Harry Potter]]'s class.<ref name="HPM">''[[Harry Potter and Me]]''</ref> However, Rowling stated in an [[J.K. Rowling PotterCast Interview|interview]] that she always considered Hannah to be a [[pure-blood]]. To compromise, she was officially made a [[half-blood]].<ref name="pottercast">[http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/12/23/transcript-of-part-1-of-pottercast-s-jk-rowling-interview PotterCast 130 transcript]</ref> |
*[[Hannah Abbott]] was originally listed as a Muggle-born on [[J. K. Rowling]]'s draft list of students in [[Harry Potter]]'s class.<ref name="HPM">''[[Harry Potter and Me]]''</ref> However, Rowling stated in an [[J.K. Rowling PotterCast Interview|interview]] that she always considered Hannah to be a [[pure-blood]]. To compromise, she was officially made a [[half-blood]].<ref name="pottercast">[http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/12/23/transcript-of-part-1-of-pottercast-s-jk-rowling-interview PotterCast 130 transcript]</ref> |
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| − | *Another student mentioned as being Muggle-born on Rowling's draft class list, which is not considered [[canon]] due to several contradictions with the novels, is [[Kevin Entwhistle]].<ref name="HPM"/> |
+ | *Another student mentioned as being Muggle-born on Rowling's draft class list, which is not considered [[canon]] due to several contradictions with the novels, is [[Kevin Entwhistle]].<ref name="HPM" /> |
| − | *[[Terry Boot]] was listed as a Muggle-born on Rowling's draft class list<ref name="HPM"/>, but in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', he was shown to be attending his seventh year at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] despite Muggle-borns being banned from the school while [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] was in power. This suggests that he is either a [[pure-blood]] or a [[half-blood]], though it is possible that he is a Muggle-born who faked his family tree. |
+ | *[[Terry Boot]] was listed as a Muggle-born on Rowling's draft class list<ref name="HPM" />, but in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', he was shown to be attending his seventh year at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] despite Muggle-borns being banned from the school while [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] was in power. This suggests that he is either a [[pure-blood]] or a [[half-blood]], though it is possible that he is a Muggle-born who faked his family tree. |
| − | *[[Dean Thomas]] was never certain whether he was Muggle-born or not, since his [[Dean Thomas's father|father]] left his [[Dean Thomas's mother|mother]] when he was very young. His father was in fact a [[Wizards|wizard]], thus Dean is a [[half-blood]], but Dean was not able to prove it, which made him a target of the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]] and [[Snatchers]] during the height of the [[Second Wizarding War]]. His Father was also killed for refusing to join the Death Eaters which would not have made him safe with the Death Eaters even if he could prove his heritage. <ref name="DH"/> |
+ | *[[Dean Thomas]] was never certain whether he was Muggle-born or not, since his [[Dean Thomas's father|father]] left his [[Dean Thomas's mother|mother]] when he was very young. His father was in fact a [[Wizards|wizard]], thus Dean is a [[half-blood]], but Dean was not able to prove it, which made him a target of the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]] and [[Snatchers]] during the height of the [[Second Wizarding War]]. His Father was also killed for refusing to join the Death Eaters which would not have made him safe with the Death Eaters even if he could prove his heritage. <ref name="DH" /> |
*A rumour on the [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test|W.O.M.B.A.T.]] was that Muggle-borns have a natural sense of rhythm. |
*A rumour on the [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test|W.O.M.B.A.T.]] was that Muggle-borns have a natural sense of rhythm. |
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==Notes and references== |
==Notes and references== |
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| − | {{Reflist}} |
+ | {{Reflist}}[[es:Nacido de muggle]] |
| − | |||
| − | [[es:Nacido de muggle]] |
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[[fr:Né-Moldu]] |
[[fr:Né-Moldu]] |
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[[fi:Jästisyntyinen]] |
[[fi:Jästisyntyinen]] |
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Revision as of 14:49, 29 January 2016
Muggle-born Hermione Granger is the daughter of two Muggle dentists
- Lily Evans: "Does it make a difference, being Muggle-born?"
- Severus Snape: "No. It doesn’t make any difference."
- — Lily Evans asking Severus Snape about the wizarding world as a child[src]
Muggle-born (pejoratively known as mudblood) is the term given to a witch or wizard who is born to two non-magical parents. Their magical abilities do not seem to be at all affected by their Muggle parentage. In fact, many Muggle-borns have been among the most talented witches and wizards of their age, such as Lily Evans and Hermione Granger.
The proportion of the wizarding population that is Muggle-born is on the rise as the pure-blood families shrink in size and number.[1]
Origin of magical abilities
Muggle-borns inherit magic from a distant ancestor; they are descended from Squibs who have married Muggles and whose families had lost the knowledge of their wizarding legacy. The magic resurfaces unexpectedly many generations later.[2]
Because of the heritable traits of magic, Muggle-born siblings are possible, as in the case of Colin and Dennis Creevey. However, this is not always the case, as Lily Evans' sister Petunia was a Muggle.
When Muggle-born witches and wizards reach the age of eleven in the British wizarding community, their Hogwarts acceptance letters are delivered in person by a member of the staff, instead of by owl post (the usual postal system for wizards and witches). The purpose is to reassure the parents or guardians about the sudden news, and explain to them about the concealed magical society. They would also assist the family with the preparation for going to their desired wizarding school and for the buying of school supplies.[3]
Attitude towards Muggle-borns
- "No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood."
- — Draco Malfoy to Muggle-born Hermione Granger[src]
A symbol of the prejudice that exists against Muggle-borns
Muggle-born witches and wizards are often derided by pure-bloods and called disparaging names such as "Mudblood", a term implying that they are somehow dirty and impure. Many pure-bloods believe that Muggle-borns are unworthy of magic and should not be allowed into the wizarding world. During the period of time where Muggle-borns were being rounded up, a news article from the Daily Prophet stated that Muggle-borns could have only obtained magic by force or theft.
Those who do not share these beliefs, such as the Weasley family, are often labelled as "blood traitors".[4] Harry Potter who was half-blood was marked as "Undesirable No.1" during the height of the Second Wizarding War for his pro Muggle views and his stance against Lord Voldemort and his new regime.
History of persecution
- Remus Lupin: "Muggle-borns are being rounded up as we speak."
- Ron Weasley: "But how are they supposed to have 'stolen' magic? It's mental, if you could steal magic there wouldn't be any Squibs, would there?"
- Remus Lupin: "I know. Nevertheless, unless you can prove that you have at least one close wizarding relative, you are now deemed to have obtained your magical power illegally and must suffer the punishment."
- — Remus Lupin explaining the Ministry of Magic's attitude while under Death Eater control[src]
Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts, argued that the school should only admit pure-bloods as students, as Durmstrang Institute does. Slytherin's views were considered unusual at the time; most wizards of his era not only accepted Muggle-borns but actually considered them especially gifted, and referred to them by the affectionate term "Magbobs".[5] The other three founders of Hogwarts favoured admitting all witches and wizards as students and opposed Slytherin on this point.
The writing on the wall "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of theheir... beware"
As a result of the disagreement, Slytherin left the school. Before leaving, he created the Chamber of Secrets, hoping that his true heir would one day set the monster contained within the Chamber on those who he deemed unworthy of magic. Tom Marvolo Riddle, having discovered his ancestry, went on to set the basilisk on his fellow Hogwarts students in 1943, finally killing one student. Fifty years later in 1992, by means of his diary Horcrux, he possessed Ginny Weasley and reopened the Chamber of Secrets. The monster petrified several people, including Colin Creevey, Penelope Clearwater, Hermione Granger, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and even the Gryffindor ghost, Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, as well as Filch's cat, Mrs Norris.
Tom Riddle, later known as Lord Voldemort, took this prejudice to an even greater extreme with his followers, the Death Eaters, despite the fact that he himself was a half-blood.
Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society
When Voldemort seized control of the Ministry of Magic in 1997, Muggle-borns were required to register with the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. Political propaganda claimed that Muggle-borns were really Muggles who had stolen magic from "real" witches and wizards, supported by research supposedly carried out by the Department of Mysteries. The Ministry continued to promote the belief with the distribution of agitprop such as the pamphlet Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society. The Commission punished anyone who could not prove to have wizarding heritage for this alleged action, sentencing them to Azkaban. Anyone who resisted was threatened with, and perhaps given, the Dementor's Kiss. They also issued two Ministerial Decrees stating that it was any wizards' duty to report suspected "Mudbloods" to them and that failure to do so would result in imprisonment.
This led some Muggle-borns, such as Dirk Cresswell, to forge their family trees. Those who refused to register, such as Ted Tonks, were forced to go on the run and were pursued by Snatchers, sometimes fatally.
This was ended with Voldemort's final defeat in 1998 and the reform of the Ministry under new Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt. Hermione Granger would be crucial in eliminating pro-pure-blood laws as a high-ranking member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.[3]
Subtler prejudice
- Horace Slughorn: "Your mother was Muggle-born of course. Couldn't believe it when I found out. Thought she must have been pure-blood, she was so good... Funny how that sometimes happens, isn't it?"
- Harry Potter: "Not really."
- Horace Slughorn: "You mustn't think I'm prejudiced! No, no, no! Haven't I just said your mother was one of my all-time favourite students?"
- — Horace Slughorn and Harry Potter in 1996[src]
The Slug Club, Slughorn's hand-picked students, some of which are Muggle-born
There are also indications that a subtler, less virulent form of prejudice against Muggle-borns is relatively common in the wizarding world. For example, Horace Slughorn discriminated more on the grounds of talent or fame, rather than blood status, and thus included particularly talented Muggle-borns such as Hermione Granger, Lily Evans, and Dirk Cresswell among his favourite students. However, he generally expected his more talented students to be pure-bloods and was surprised when Muggle-borns performed very well. When he remarked upon this to Harry Potter in 1996 and Harry responded coldly, Slughorn was genuinely surprised, and insisted that he was not prejudiced.[6] This may indicate that even among those who do not believe Muggle-borns are inherently inferior or "dirty", there tends to be a false belief that most Muggle-borns are less magically talented than those with wizarding heritage. However, Slughorn could have also meant that since Muggle-borns are not raised around magic, it is all the more astonishing when they do very well in school.
The Ministry of Magic also seemed to have mildly favoured pure-bloods for many years before it was reformed after the Second Wizarding War, as there were still "pro-pure-blood laws" in existence, which Hermione later eliminated. Albus Dumbledore also once accused Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge himself of placing too much importance on blood purity, as Fudge was sided more with old, wealthy and influential pure-blood families such as the Malfoys, and looked down upon those who had less wealth and more affiliation with Muggles, like the Weasleys[7].
It was a widely held belief in the wizarding world that Muggle-borns were more likely to produce Squib children and slower to show signs of magic in childhood than pure or half-blood wizards. These stereotypes were disproven by the Institute of Muggle Studies, though they also disproved the positive beliefs that Muggle-borns have greater immunity to wizarding illnesses and a natural sense of rhythm.[8]
Known Muggle-borns
![Colin Creevey[4]](/wiki/File:46074-25820.gif "46074-25820.gif (56 KB)")
![Penelope Clearwater[10] (possibly)](/wiki/File:Pepe4.jpg "Pepe4.jpg (42 KB)")
Penelope Clearwater[10] (possibly)
![Justin Finch-Fletchley[4]](/wiki/File:Justin_Finch-Fletchley.jpg "Justin Finch-Fletchley.jpg (101 KB)")
![Kendra Dumbledore[3]](/wiki/File:Kendra_Dumbledore.png "Kendra Dumbledore.png (39 KB)")
![Dirk Cresswell[3]](/wiki/File:Ricky_Wilson_DH1.jpg "Ricky Wilson DH1.jpg (36 KB)")
Behind the scenes
- Hannah Abbott was originally listed as a Muggle-born on J. K. Rowling's draft list of students in Harry Potter's class.[14] However, Rowling stated in an interview that she always considered Hannah to be a pure-blood. To compromise, she was officially made a half-blood.[15]
- Another student mentioned as being Muggle-born on Rowling's draft class list, which is not considered canon due to several contradictions with the novels, is Kevin Entwhistle.[14]
- Terry Boot was listed as a Muggle-born on Rowling's draft class list[14], but in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, he was shown to be attending his seventh year at Hogwarts despite Muggle-borns being banned from the school while Lord Voldemort was in power. This suggests that he is either a pure-blood or a half-blood, though it is possible that he is a Muggle-born who faked his family tree.
- Dean Thomas was never certain whether he was Muggle-born or not, since his father left his mother when he was very young. His father was in fact a wizard, thus Dean is a half-blood, but Dean was not able to prove it, which made him a target of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission and Snatchers during the height of the Second Wizarding War. His Father was also killed for refusing to join the Death Eaters which would not have made him safe with the Death Eaters even if he could prove his heritage. [3]
- A rumour on the W.O.M.B.A.T. was that Muggle-borns have a natural sense of rhythm.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
- LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
See also
Notes and references
- ↑ F.A.Q.: Pure-bloods at J.K. Rowling's Official Site
- ↑ 30 July 2007 Bloomsbury Webchat with J.K. Rowling
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- ↑ "Pure-Blood" by J.K. Rowling, Pottermore, retrieved 7 November 2015
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- ↑ Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test - Grade 1, Question 16
- ↑ It is possible Nick was Muggle-born, due to him having been petrified by the Basilisk
- ↑ There is some confusion over Penelope Clearwater's blood status. In Chamber of Secrets, Penelope was petrified along with Colin Creevey, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hermione Granger, Nearly-Headless Nick, and Mrs. Norris. The petrifications were described as a series of "four attacks on Muggle-borns" in chapter 14 and Ginny Weasley (possessed by Tom Riddle's memory) was described as having "set the Serpent of Slytherin on four Mudbloods, and the Squib's cat" in Chapter 17. However, it is possible that the fourth Muggle-born in addition to Colin, Hermione, and Justin (who are all definitively identified as Muggle-borns at some point) was Nearly-Headless Nick, and that Penelope was simply petrified because she was with Hermione when she encountered the basilisk. In Deathly Hallows, Hermione posed as Penelope when under interrogation by Snatchers, and claimed to be half-blood. Although, Hermione may have only lied about Penelope's blood status because mentioning she's Muggle-born would have possibly made things worse.
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- ↑ When he was interrogated by the Muggle-Born Registration Commission in 1997, Alderton claimed to be a half-blood. He may have been lying in an attempt to save himself, or he may genuinely have been related to Arkie Alderton.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Pottermore
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Harry Potter and Me
- ↑ PotterCast 130 transcript