being a disgrace
Hi,

Below is the conversation extracted from Harry Potter:

Lucius: Busy time at the Ministry, I hear. All those raids . . . I hope they’re paying you overtime?

Obviously not, dear me, what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?

Mr. Weasley: We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy,
-------------
Could you please explain to me the meaning of the sentence "what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?"

I'm quite confused. Does it mean that the Ministry is disgracing Weasley by not paying him overtime and that would have no use?
Thank you for your help,

Question

being a disgrace
Hi,

Below is the conversation extracted from Harry Potter:

Lucius: Busy time at the Ministry, I hear. All those raids . . . I hope they’re paying you overtime?

Obviously not, dear me, what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?

Mr. Weasley: We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy,
-------------
Could you please explain to me the meaning of the sentence "what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?"

I'm quite confused. Does it mean that the Ministry is disgracing Weasley by not paying him overtime and that would have no use?
Thank you for your help,

Answer

From memory, it is part of the theme of racism in the book. The Weasleys are 'pure blood' wizards but are happy to associate with 'mud bloods'. In the philosophy of the Death Eaters he is a traitor to his pure blood because he associates with the enemies of the Death Eaters and fights against them, together with the Ministry of Magic - his employer, the government. It is a bit like being a white person fighting against white supremacists. It is also an insult because he is not wealthy.

Answers · 2

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