Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: southern_sharpay_evans Jan 16 2009, 03:58 PM

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?

Posted by: Reckoner Jan 16 2009, 09:55 PM

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.

Posted by: Fourmagpies Jan 17 2009, 06:04 AM

I always assumed that the wizard "Grindelwald War" is the wider-world "WWII".

Dark wizards are suggested to be a really terrible threat. For me that must mean not just to the wizarding community, but to the whole world. If the outside world wouldn't really notice that much, then the rise of a dark wizard wouldn't be that terrible. (Which gives me a problem in how little impact Voldemort is shown to have on the wider world; I am troubled by that, but try to make allowances for the fact that he hadn't really got going yet.)

So, without ever considering it in detail, but given the timing, the concentration camps with the mottos over the gates, and I suppose the german elements in the name, I automatically identified Naziism with Grindelwald's party and supposed that the whole conflagration was down to him.

Posted by: The Crimson Artist Jan 17 2009, 01:04 PM

His physcial description could definitely support his being German. I can't remember exactly, but didn't Hitler and the Nazis have a vision of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed supreme race? If that's not right, I don't know where I picked that little tidbit up from...

Posted by: swish&flick23 Jan 17 2009, 01:31 PM

Crimson Artist: you're right....Hitler deemed those of Arian blood to be the superior race: Blond with Blue eyes........which completely contradicts Hilter's physical appearance.........just like Voldemort praising pure-blood when he, himself was a half-blood.........anyways........since the first wizard war occured along the same timeline as World War II........I would guess that Grindlewald was Austrian........I'm basing this on the fact that Hitler himself was Austrian (not German)........

Posted by: maggieann Jan 23 2009, 04:00 AM

There is a village named Grindelwald in Switzerland, so it is also possible that Gellert Grindelwald is Swiss.

Posted by: Nepenthe Jun 6 2009, 05:20 PM

Personally I see Grindelwald as German, though from Prussia, which is now Poland or Slovakia. Indeed 'Grindelwald' is German and even though I never have heard of this name before, 'Gellert' is an acceptable German name according to my word.
But, as JKR said, he has a close tie with Hitler, he could also bei Austrian, just like him. Though... I somehow doubt it. Maybe it is because I never give much a thought about Austria, except for a great place of skiing. Hm... Switzerland could be as well.

Posted by: Min Jun 20 2009, 07:20 AM

He's OBVIOUSLY Australian.


...Im kidding.

He's probably just the Euro exchange kid that everyone falls for

Posted by: biggestharrypotterfan Jun 29 2009, 06:34 PM

i found Grindelwald on a map of Switzerland. so i'm guessing German / Austrian heritage?

no wait, i bet he comes from Lichtenstein. exotic place, that is.

Posted by: Laisai Jul 3 2009, 07:44 PM

I always thought of him as Russian, for some reason... I think it's because I connect Durmstrang with Scandinavian or Russian people. I always thought that he came from somewhere in Europe that was really cold, and Austria, Germany, Russia, and Switzerland all fit in that category in my opinion.

Posted by: Marine Jul 4 2009, 08:11 AM

Funny to see everyone's opinion on that lol

As for me, I saw him as a person of slavic ethnicity for some reason.

Like during the Cold War, secret agents really dark and secretive

Posted by: ahorsegirl220 Jul 8 2009, 11:13 PM

I always thought of him as Bulgarian or German. He just seemed like that to me with that kind of name.

Posted by: Doctor of the Books Jul 13 2009, 06:24 PM

"Grindelwald" is the name of a town in Switzerland. Look it up on Google Earth.

But even before I knew that, the name "Gellert Grindelwald" is a very German-sounding name. I've always seen him as German or Swiss.

Posted by: Nouba Nov 17 2009, 01:11 PM

I always thought Germany.