"Toujours pur" Blacks

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Gordis

The Blacks are amazing, all of them. They seem so different, but yet they are so much alike: Walburga, Sirius, Regulus, Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa.

They are "Toujours pur" ("always pure").

On the surface this family motto seems to be simply about the blood purity, maintaining it at all costs. But is this so indeed?
The Black family tree tapestry is studded with holes: so many of them have forsaken their family to go marry muggle-borns, half-bloods or blood-traitors, or to go defend Muggle rights. In the end not a single Black of pure blood remains…

I think it's this here that underlines the meaning of "Toujours pur". I think Rowling is making a point: the idea of racial purity is a steaming load of old rubbish. The idea of the Black family staying pure, as in Pure-blood, is exactly what that is. The Malfoys are another example of a family the supports these ideas.

The fact that there only a few Blacks left underlines the pointlessness and stupidity of this idea. Racism is a big theme in the Harry Potter books. Hermione, Dean Thomas and others are always having to deal with racist gits.

I certainly wouldn't call any of the Blacks cowards (especially Regulus, who I agree is superb) but I don't think that's the meaning of this slogan in the books.

Walburga is Sirius and Regulus's mum, the screaming portrait? Where'd you find out her name?