Snapedom

Oh, yes, this makes sense! Brilliant, Terri! But - is it all really a political screed, then? I have sensed a classist undertone to these books, but didn't think it was intentional - it's odd, because, on the one hand, Rowling criticizes classism by (as you point out) having her "bad guy" be classist. On the other, she gives us classist stereotypes in her depictions of Stan Shunpike, Ernie, Hagrid, and even Severus Snape - who is the only wizard definitively from a working-class background that we see. She also seems to truly believe she is writing about racial prejudice. So it's all very odd.

Brilliant essay, though. I must say, your summaries don't make me all that eager to read Heyer.