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Leaky Lounge > HP-Related Discussion: Diagon Alley > HP Book Discussion: Flourish and Blotts > Post-DH Predictions: Predicting the Unpredictable

 
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What was Gellert Grindelwald's Nationality, What was Gellert Grindelwald's Nationality?
southern_sharpay...
post Jan 16 2009, 03:58 PM
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I have always thought of Grindelwald as being German for several reasons. One, both Grindel and Wald and German names, "Grindel" being old German for bolt and "Wald" meaning forest. Also, Gellert was the last name of a German poet. His physical description of blond hair also gives me that impression, as many Germans are of Scandinavian descent. Besides, JKR said that Grindelwald was supposed to be reminiscent of Hitler, who, of course, was German. What does everyone else think?


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Reckoner
post Jan 16 2009, 09:55 PM
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Well, I've thought of him as potentially German, but also Scandinavian, because he went to Durmstrang, which is described to be pretty far north.

There is some more evidence that he could have been German though, because JKR has said that major wizarding events often coincide with major muggle world events, and Grindelwalds height of power was during World War II. It doesn't necessarily mean he was German though of course, because more countries were obviously fighting with Germany...but I certainly don't think Grindelwald was Italian or Japanese...perhaps he is Russian, or of some sort of Slavic nationality?

Ultimately if I had to take a guess though, I would agree with you on him being German. Because his name just doesn't fit with being Slavic.

This post has been edited by Reckoner: Jan 16 2009, 09:56 PM
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Posts in this topic
- southern_sharpay_evans   What was Gellert Grindelwald's Nationality   Jan 16 2009, 03:58 PM
- - Fourmagpies   I always assumed that the wizard "Grindelwald...   Jan 17 2009, 06:04 AM
- - The Crimson Artist   QUOTEHis physical description of blond hair also g...   Jan 17 2009, 01:04 PM
- - swish&flick23   Crimson Artist: you're right....Hitler deemed ...   Jan 17 2009, 01:31 PM
- - maggieann   There is a village named Grindelwald in Switzerlan...   Jan 23 2009, 04:00 AM
- - Nepenthe   Personally I see Grindelwald as German, though fro...   Jun 6 2009, 05:20 PM
- - Min   He's OBVIOUSLY Australian. ...Im kidding. H...   Jun 20 2009, 07:20 AM
- - biggestharrypotterfan   i found Grindelwald on a map of Switzerland. so i...   Jun 29 2009, 06:34 PM
- - Laisai   I always thought of him as Russian, for some reaso...   Jul 3 2009, 07:44 PM
- - Marine   Funny to see everyone's opinion on that lol A...   Jul 4 2009, 08:11 AM
- - ahorsegirl220   I always thought of him as Bulgarian or German. He...   Jul 8 2009, 11:13 PM
- - Doctor of the Books   "Grindelwald" is the name of a town in S...   Jul 13 2009, 06:24 PM
- - Nouba   I always thought Germany.   Nov 17 2009, 01:11 PM
- - BillieMac   Nationality and ethnicity aren't the same thin...   Feb 27 2010, 04:53 PM

 

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