The Harry Potter Compendium
Advertisement
"It’s a disgusting thing to call someone. Dirty blood, see. Common blood. It’s ridiculous."
Ron Weasley explaining the term “Mudblood” to Hermione Granger and Harry Potter[src]
File:DH1 Books about Muggles.jpg

The works of Sinistra Lowe and Barrett Fay; books referring to Mudbloods were printed after the Ministry of Magic fell to the Dark Lord.

Mudblood is a derogatory term for a Muggle-born or Half-blood[1] wizard or witch; that is, individuals with no wizarding parents or grandparents. There does not appear to be any difference in the magical power of Muggle-borns compared to those who are pure-blood or half-blood, but those prejudiced against Muggle-borns consider them to be of "lower breeding" or worth, and undeserving of magic. The term implies that the individual has "dirty blood" and is considered extremely offensive. There are apparently other, less commonly used terms with a similar meaning, such as "creature of dirt" It is a really offending term, for people can't help being Muggle-born.[2]


History[]

Use by prejudiced witches and wizards[]

"The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered. "No one asked your opinion, you filthy Mudblood," he spat. Harry knew at once that Malfoy had said something really bad because there was an instant uproar at his words. Flint had to dive in front of Malfoy to stop Fred and George jumping on him, Alicia shrieked, "How dare you!" and Ron plunged his hand into his robes, pulling out his wand, yelling, "You'll pay for that one, Malfoy!" and pointing it furiously under Flint's arm at Malfoy's face."
Draco Malfoy throws the slur at Hermione Granger in 1992[src]

Many older wizarding families place great emphasis on blood purity and reject association with Muggles and Muggle-borns, both of whom they consider greatly inferior to themselves[3] . The notion is foremost in the minds of Dark Wizards, Death Eaters, and other followers of Lord Voldemort. It is possible that some well-meaning pureblood families espouse this prejudice as well, but to a less virulent degree. Notably, some pure-bloods, such as members of the Weasley family, reject these prejudices and are labelled "blood traitors" or "Mudblood-lovers" as a result.

Draco: "I got the idea of poisoning the mead from the Mudblood Granger, as well, I heard her talking in the library about Filch not recognising potions..."
Dumbledore: "Please do not use that offensive word in front of me."
Draco: "You care about me saying "Mudblood" when I'm about to kill you?"
Dumbledore: "Yes, I do."
Albus Dumbledore and Draco Malfoy during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower[src]
File:Draco Malfoy.JPG

Draco Malfoy

The term "Mudblood" is generally not used in polite society, as it is considered highly offensive and vulgar, on par with the racial epithets often heard in the Muggle world. When Draco Malfoy called Hermione Granger a Mudblood in 1992, he was nearly attacked by several members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and was nearly cursed by Ronald Weasley.[4] However, when Lord Voldemort was in control of the Ministry of Magic in 1997, the term became more prevalent, appearing even in the Daily Prophet and Ministry propaganda. This was in line with Death Eater ideology being disseminated to the general public, which claimed that Muggle-borns were not "real" wizards and witches.[5]

Use by Muggle-borns[]

Hermywond

Hermione Granger is frequently referred to as a "mudblood" by prejudiced pure-bloods such as Draco Malfoy.

Hermione: "I’m hunted quite as much as any goblin or elf, Griphook! I’m a Mudblood!"
Ron: "Don't call yourself-"
Hermione: "Why shouldn’t I? Mudblood, and proud of it!"
Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley speaking to Griphook[src]

There are some Muggle-borns who refuse to allow the term to be degrading to them. For example, Lily Evans told her former friend Severus Snape that if he was going to refer to other Muggle-borns as "Mudbloods", then he had to use the term for her as well, and Hermione Granger declared that she was proud to be a "Mudblood" in 1998.[5]

Examples of the term's use[]

"Mudblood's a really foul name for someone who is Muggle-born — you know, non-magic parents. There are some wizards — like Malfoy's family — who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood."
Ronald Weasley on the term in 1992[src]
Person Who Used the Term Referring to Notes
Draco Malfoy Hermione Granger Malfoy called Hermione a "Mudblood" in 1992; this was the first time Harry Potter ever heard the term.[4] Malfoy also called her a Mudblood, and used the term more generally, on many other occasions.
Ron Weasley Term itself Explaining its meaning to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger in 1992.
Tom Marvolo Riddle Muggle-borns in general In the Chamber of Secrets in 1993.[4]
Severus Snape Lily Evans Snape lashed out after Lily came to his assistance when he was being bullied by James Potter and Sirius Black in 1975. It resulted in the loss of his friendship with Lily, and would forever be his worst memory. Afterwards, Snape disliked even hearing the word "Mudblood".[6]
Lily Evans Herself and Muggle-borns in general After Snape tried to apologise for calling Lily a Mudblood, she retorted: "But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?”[5]
Kreacher Hermione Granger In 1995 and 1997 at 12 Grimmauld Place.[6][5]
Portrait of Walburga Black Muggle-borns in general Screamed on multiple occasions at the members of the Order of the Phoenix.[6]
Marvolo Gaunt Muggle-borns in general; Bob Ogden When Ogden, a Ministry official, came to the family home to arrest Marvolo's son, Morfin Gaunt.[7]
Draco Malfoy Hermione Granger; the term itself After cornering Albus Dumbledore in the Astronomy Tower, Draco explained that he got the idea for poisoning mead after he heard Hermione Granger, whom he referred to as "the Mudblood Granger" talking about Filch not recognising potions. When Dumbledore told Draco not to use the word in his presence, Draco questioned if Dumbledore cared about him using "Mudblood" when he was about to kill Dumbledore.
Lord Voldemort Muggle-borns in general; Lily Evans Mentioned the term several times throughout the Second Wizarding War and referred to Lily Evans this way when taunting Harry Potter about death and during their final duel in 1998.[5]
Bellatrix Lestrange Ted Tonks; Hermione Granger Bellatrix told Lord Voldemort in Malfoy Manor in 1997 that she and Narcissa have never seen their sister Andromeda since she married "the Mudblood". She also used the term multiple times when torturing Hermione for information in 1998[5]
Harry Potter The term itself Harry angrily forbade Kreacher from using the word after the house-elf referred to Hermione Granger as "the Mudblood".[5]
Pamphlet maker witch Muggle-borns in general This individual, an employee of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission wondered aloud if Dolores Umbridge was going to be interrogating "Mudbloods" all day.[5]
Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society Muggle-borns in general This pamphlet was printed by the Ministry of Magic when it was under Lord Voldemort's control in 1997. It was written by Dolores Umbridge.[5]
Pius Thicknesse Muggle-borns in general While under the Imperius Curse, the puppet Minister for Magic commented that he believed “the blood traitors are as bad as the Mudbloods” to Harry Potter disguised as Albert Runcorn.[5]
Yaxley Mary Cattermole Mentioned in reference to Mrs. Cattermole's biased trial at the hands of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission.[5]
Portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black Hermione Granger The portrait referred to Hermione this way while speaking to Severus Snape, who snapped at him not to use that word.[5]
Daily Prophet Hermione Granger While the newspaper was under Voldemort's control, it described Hermione as "the Mudblood who is known to be traveling with Harry Potter"[5].
Fenrir Greyback Muggle-borns in general While Greyback was working as a leader of a gang of Snatchers, he used the term multiple times.[5]
Hermione Granger Herself Hermione referred to herself as a Mudblood while arguing with Griphook in 1998; when Ron Weasley said not to call herself that, she rejoined, "Mudblood, and proud of it!"[5]
Vincent Crabbe Hermione Granger Crabbe referred to Hermione as "that Mudblood" just before attempting to use the Killing Curse on her in the Room of Requirement during the Battle of Hogwarts.[5]

Behind the scenes[]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1040526726835650560
  2. Order of the Phoenix, Ch. 6
  3. In the F.A.Q. section of her website, J. K. Rowling stated that "As far as somebody like Lucius Malfoy is concerned, for instance, a Muggle-born is as 'bad' as a Muggle."
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Chamber of Secrets"
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

See also[]

Advertisement