The wizarding world, as portrayed in both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, presents a fascinating contrast in magical practices, particularly concerning verbal and nonverbal spellcasting. A noticeable difference emerges when observing the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them cast, especially Newt Scamander, compared to their British counterparts in Harry Potter. It seems nonverbal magic is more prevalent and perhaps more crucial in the American wizarding society depicted in Fantastic Beasts. But why might this be the case?
One might initially dismiss the distinction by suggesting that adult wizards, like those in MACUSA, are simply more skilled than Hogwarts students. However, this explanation feels insufficient. Throughout the Harry Potter series, we encounter numerous highly competent adult British wizards, including Aurors and even Death Eaters, who routinely cast spells verbally. It’s not a matter of magical prowess, as even powerful wizards in Britain seem to favor spoken incantations. Nor is it plausible to argue that American wizards are inherently more magically gifted. While American wizarding schools could be excellent, it’s unlikely every MACUSA Auror surpasses the power of someone like Dumbledore, who still verbalized many spells.
The key difference may lie in the societal structures. American wizarding society, as depicted in Fantastic Beasts, operates under far greater secrecy than their British counterparts. The stringent regulations enforced by MACUSA – requiring wand permits, prohibiting wizard-No-Maj relationships, and monitoring all spellcasting – highlight an intense need for concealment. This pervasive secrecy could directly influence the emphasis on nonverbal magic within American wizarding education. Casting spells silently offers a significant advantage in maintaining discretion. By eliminating spoken incantations, American wizards can perform magic more subtly, reducing the risk of exposure in a society where magical exposure carries severe consequences. In Britain, nonverbal spellcasting might be viewed as an advanced skill, beneficial primarily for duelists seeking a tactical edge.
Interestingly, Newt Scamander, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, while not American, also frequently employs nonverbal magic. This might seem contradictory, but a plausible explanation arises from his profession as a magizoologist. Newt’s suitcase is home to a diverse collection of magical creatures, some of which are highly sensitive and potentially dangerous if startled. For Newt, nonverbal spellcasting could be a necessary precaution, allowing him to manage his creatures and perform magic around them without the risk of frightening them with loud verbal spells. This practical need might have driven him to master this quieter form of magic, even as a British wizard.
Of course, from an out-of-universe perspective, the increased use of nonverbal magic in Fantastic Beasts could be a stylistic choice. It might be a way to visually differentiate American wizarding from the British style established in the Harry Potter films, or simply to avoid creating entirely new sets of verbal spells for the prequel series. However, even considering this, the in-universe justifications remain compelling. The heightened secrecy in American wizarding society and Newt’s unique profession provide logical reasons for the emphasis on and mastery of nonverbal magic within the Fantastic Beasts narrative, adding another layer of depth to the wizarding world J.K. Rowling created.
