A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

The theme of Difference and Prejudice is primarily conveyed through the symbolism of magic, which marks some people as different and therefore suspicious. Historically, populations have often singled out individuals with distinct differences (whether that be race, religion, or ability) and labeled them outsiders, and even dangerous. In Wizard’s Guide, real-world examples of such difference and prejudice are replaced with the symbol of magic. This is apparent in Mona’s explanation that wizards are rare, making up only a small percentage of the general population of any given city and yet are often treated with disdain and mistrust, forced to live in ghettos or registered with the government to be monitored and controlled. These distinctions have parallels to real-life instances of systemic discrimination, from segregation in the United States to apartheid South Africa and ghettoization in Nazi Germany. The book’s fantasy elements provide a more gentle way of exploring these heavy themes.

Though Mona believes the people of Riverbraid do not feel this way about their magical citizens, she discovers that she is wrong, though it is unclear how widespread the feelings of suspicion and prejudice are. There are several examples of such prejudice, including one bakery customer who calls Mona and other wizards “you people” (69) and implies that they will soon be put in their proper place, and Spindle’s stories of street thieves who bullied and attacked his sister Tibbie, also a minor wizard.