|
Minerva McGonagallby Neil Ward Minerva McGonagall is the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Head of Gryffindor House. She is described as tall and severe, with large, square glasses and black hair worn in a bun. She is one of only a few animagi registered with the Ministry and transfigures into a tabby cat. Apart from her administrative role at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall has a reputation as a strict disciplinarian and is invariably issuing stern warnings or cold stares. She is not inclined to be emotional, but is occasionally moved to tears or nose-blowing. She is a trusted supporter of Dumbledore and always appears at the forefront in any crisis, wand at the ready. McGonagall displays a particular passion for Quidditch that arguably clouds her even approach to discipline. She doesn't favour Gryffindor obviously, but she has been lenient on Harry, notably picking him out as the new Gryffindor Seeker in PS/SS, and having the first-year rule bent as a result. For a full character profile please see John Walton's summary (6741). See also Caius' filk, "McGonga" (15930). References: Y refers to messages from the old Yahoo club; YG refers to messages from the current Yahoo Group (formerly eGroup).
The Meaning of MinervaOne member suggested that Minerva is Greek in origin and means "With wisdom, thinking"; another claimed that Minerva is the Roman Goddess of Wisdom. It can't be both... can it? [Editor's note: The Oxford Enclyclopedic English Dictionary says that Minerva was the Roman Goddess of Handicrafts - macramé anyone?] Head of GryffindorIt is assumed, but not confirmed, that McGonagall was sorted to Gryffindor House as a student, but it is possible that she was sorted as a new teacher and was not even a pupil at Hogwarts. What does McGonagall actually do as Head of House? She is in charge of the students' punishments, but what else? It has been suggested that she may help them with their class schedules and she seems to deal with paperwork, such as permission slips for weekend visits to Hogsmeade. McGonagall is rarely seen in the Gryffindor Common Room and probably relies on the prefects to do the disciplinary work for her. McGonagall as an Animagus**Some would say Animaga. "Really, what has got into you all today?" said Professor McGonagall, turning back into herself with a faint pop, and staring around at them all. "Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from a class." [PoA, Chap 6] It has been proposed that McGonagall decided to become an Animagus when she first got the job of Transfiguration teacher, as she would have felt an obligation to demonstrate the ultimate in Transfiguration to her students. "She may be loyal to Dumbledore in human form, but she probably has her own agenda in cat form. Who knows whose dustbins and cat flaps she might frequent of a night?" Professor McGonagall is registered with the Ministry of Magic, according to Hermione "We did Animagi in class with Professor McGonagall ...the Ministry of Magic keeps tabs on witches and wizards who can become animals ... I went and looked Professor McGonagall up on the register, and there have been only seven Animagi this century..." [PoA, Chap 18] On the first day of Transfiguration class in Harry's 3rd year, she gives a lecture on Animagi and turns into a cat and back in front of the class. Her glasses become distinctive markings around her eyes and this raised the question of whether she would have to be wearing the glasses in order to transform. Should we assume that she has been wearing the same pair of glasses since childhood (rather unlikely) and, further, where would she get the glasses from - the optometrist? McGonagall illustrates that an Animagus does not necessarily have the same hair or eye colour in human and animal form, as she has black hair, but her tabby cat form has orange fur (at least, most people imagine her as an orange or marmalade tabby, whereas Warner Brothers are rumoured to have cast a silver cat in her role). Following comments by JKR, it appears that Animagi become animals that suit their character. In considering this, Rebecca listed some characteristics of McGonagall the cat: "Prefers neatness and order. Concerned with personal appearance. Not given to overt emotional displays. Authoritative, even dictatorial. Can be touchy: beware of rubbing the wrong way." (Y5057, Y6365, Y6949)
The Cat Sat on the Wall"Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall." [PS/SS, Chap. 1] Isn't it odd that, at the start of PS/SS, Dumbledore didn't recognise McGonagall as a tabby cat? Surely he would have seen her animagus before. "How did you know it was me?" she says. This is even odder considering that fact that Dumbledore was the Transfiguration teacher prior to his headmastership. However, it may be that, at the time of that scene, they did not know each other well, particularly if McGonagall was not yet Deputy Headmistress; the scene outside Privet Drive was set shortly after the death of James and Lily Potter. Another possibility is that Albus was simply not paying attention, especially as one tabby looks much like another. When Dumbledore reveals that he is at the Dursleys to deliver Harry Potter, she seems outraged that he would be leaving him with them and says: "I've been watching them all day". Why was she watching the Dursleys' house if she had no inkling that they were Harry's relatives? When Dumbledore says, "I suppose it was [Hagrid] who told you I'd be here, by the way?" McGonagall says, "Yes" and changes the subject. Could she have been covering up her real reason for being there or was she just waiting at 4 Privet Drive because she needed to speak to Dumbledore? If she planned to intercept Dumbledore to find out if the rumours flying around about the Potters were really true, she must have known that he was going to be at Privet Drive. An alternative conclusion is that she was watching the Dursleys' house for another reason. It has been suggested that the Dursleys House might be under a Fidelius charm and that McGonagall might be the Secret Keeper. In that first chapter, "something about McGonagall and Dumbledore's characterization felt a little bit different from the way they felt in the rest of the book," possibly because the first chapter of a novel is often "the most difficult to write". An alternative thought on this was that Chapter 1 of SS/PS is different because it is the only one not seen from Harry's POV. (Y1597)
Never Ask a Witch Her AgeIn discussions that arose mainly as a result of the casting of Dame Maggie Smith as McGonagall in the forthcoming Warner Brothers movie, some people felt that Dame Maggie was too old for the part, whilst others felt that she was just perfect for the role (and she was, reportedly, JKR's own choice). In PS/SS, McGonagall is described as "a rather severe-looking woman" with her hair drawn into a tight bun, and as "a tall black-haired witch". The fact that she is described as having black hair may be misleading. Several have suggested that McGonagall is a contemporary of Hagrid's, and in her early 60s, but perhaps looking younger. Some related discussion on the life expectancy of witches and wizards implied that McGonagall might be ageing more slowly than the average Muggle. This theory holds that wizard folk of any age over 30 would tend to look younger than Muggles of the same age; a Muggle might, therefore, take McGonagall for 40 or 45. There is also the possibility that McGonagall uses the "wizarding equivalent of Lady Grecian 2000". McGonagall did teach the MWPP-era students, which is another clue to her age. During the PoA "Three Broomsticks" conversation, she recalls teaching Peter Pettigrew. That means that at the time of Lily and James died, McGonagall must have been teaching at Hogwarts for at least three years. JKR - who should know the answer - has said in one interview that McGonagall is in her 70s and in another that she was 65 in GoF. Maggie Smith was born in 1934. (YG-25/08/00, "McGonagall's age")
Too Lenient with Harry?Despite her reputation for being strict, McGonagall did not punish Harry, and, in fact, rewarded him, for flying unsupervised in SS/PS. Even Hermione thought this was inconsistent with McGonagall in general. In the same book, when Harry and Hermione were trying to smuggle Norbert out of Hogwarts, McGonagall concluded that they made up the dragon story to lure Draco out of bed and into the tower. Was she turning a blind eye rather than digging deeper and finding something she didn't want to find or was she diverted by Draco's frantic explanations of his position? On several levels, McGonagall may wish to avoid expelling Harry: because he is Harry Potter and needs the protection of Hogwarts [and Dumbledore]; because of his poor home life (at the beginning of SS/PS she tried to dissuade Dumbledore from leaving Harry with the Dursleys); and because of his brilliant Quidditch skills (see next section). In CoS, McGonagall catches Harry and Ron skiving off their History of Magic lesson. Harry gives the excuse that they are off to visit Hermione and she sends them off with her blessing and a distinct sniffle after they have rounded the corner. It seems clear that Minerva has "a soft spot for Harry's personal crises". (YG-12/12/00, "Character: Minerva McGonagall") Enthusiasm For Quidditch"...I don't want everybody knowing you've got a broomstick or they'll all want one." [McGonagall's note to Harry, PS/SS, Chap 12] There is little doubt that McGonagall has a passion for Quidditch. She may well turn a blind eye to some of Harry's unruly behaviour because of his excellent Quidditch skills. In SS/PS, the Gryffindors hadn't won the Quidditch Cup in several years; McGonagall mentions to Harry and Wood that the Slytherins had flattened the Gryffindor team in the previous year and that she "couldn't look Severus Snape in the face for weeks". [SS/PS, Chap. 9] It's possible that her pride and enthusiasm for the sport clouds her judgement... sometimes. As one list member observed: "I've known some quiet, sombre people...become utter screaming psychotics when their basketball or football team is playing". (YG-12/12/00, "Character: Minerva McGonagall") Workload - How Does She Do It?How does Minerva cope with all the work she has to do? She helps Dumbledore with the administration of Hogwarts and sends out all the owls to new student intake and she also has the responsibilities of Head of Gryffindor House and has to teach Transfiguration to all years. There would be seven different syllabi and lesson plans for seven different levels, with four Houses in each. Minerva does have magic to help her, and can probably sign all the letters with a wave of her wand. The plot of PoA also tells us that she has access to a time-turner, which could allow her to do several things at the same time, were she to use it. MgGonagall's 'Love' LifeSee Romantic Pairings and Fanfiction pages for more information. Some members wondered whether there was some hint of romance between Minerva and Hagrid, based on the fact that he pecked her on the cheek at the Christmas Dinner in SS/PS and she blushed. Could this have been the effect of the wine on both parties? Or had they been having a secret affair for years? One member wondered how Hagrid would feel if McGonagall was the one to die in GoF. Other members find the idea of Hagrid and McGonagall in a romantic involvement laughable. A couple of members created an imaginary scene between them It must be noted that there are several fanfics examining this pairing. With a little lateral thinking, Catlady decided that McGonagall is a lesbian who has been with the same partner for years and suggested Madam Hooch as her sporty partner: they call each other Minnie and Hoochie. Others have speculated about a vibe between Minerva and Albus Dumbledore, despite the 80+-year age gap, one member announcing, "I've thought they were sleeping together since the beginning of the first book." It has been noted that McGonagall is close enough to in age to Tom Riddle to make a schooldays' romance between them possible. Other Minerva shipping/slash to be found includes M/Snape, M/Flitwick, M/Remus, M/Sirius and M/Pomfrey. Sybill Trelawney hasn't been raised as a love match for Minerva, despite the frosty atmosphere between the two women: "Tripe, Sibyll?" (Y602, Y3473, Y3426, Y3442, Y3473).
Is McGonagall Scruffy?A report on the feline actors on the set of the Warner Brothers movie seemed to suggest that McGonagall's cat form was "scruffy" - a description that certainly wouldn't match with her prim and proper human form. However, in her very first appearance in SS/PS, after a day sitting on the wall outside the Dursley's house, the human McGonagall is described as looking "distinctly ruffled": "He turned to smile at the tabby, but it had gone. Instead he was smiling at a rather severe-looking woman who was wearing square glasses exactly the shape of the markings the cat had had around its eyes. She, too, was wearing a cloak, an emerald one. Her black hair was drawn into a tight bun. She looked distinctly ruffled." [SS/PS - Chap. 1] Although, it's not impossible that Minerva was looking a bit rough after a day sitting on a wall, "ruffled" was probably a reference to her demeanour in this case. The consensus is that the report in question was referring to the cat playing Mrs Norris. (YG-05/01/01, "Is McGonagall scruffy?"
thread)
The Chess Test"We've had Sprout's, that was the Devil's Snare; Flitwick must've put charms on the keys; McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive; that leaves Quirrell's spell, and Snape's." [SS/PS, Chap 16] What is the significance of McGonagall's "protection" for the Philosopher's Stone? It is seen as typical of McGonagall - "something stern and unyielding". The game of chess is "methodic, rational, and playable by one who simply knows the rules - but mastery requires the intangible, the flash of insight, the hunch, the genius. McGonagall "set up a barrier that seemed mundane but required a certain amount of intuition, instinct, and willingness to take risks". From Harry's point of view, wizarding chess is a challenge, so, for the purposes of the plot, this barrier gave Ron a chance to shine. However, couldn't a powerful witch or wizard have undone the transfiguration, leaving the chamber empty? Hermione says "McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive," but it has been pointed out that all wizard chessmen are alive and that McGonagall must merely have made them life-sized. (YG-12/12/00, "Character: Minerva McGonagall") McGonagall as a Future Headmistress"Maybe we'll get a decent headmaster now. Someone who won't want the Chamber of Secrets closed. McGonagall won't last long, she's only filling in..." [Draco Malfoy, CoS, Chap. 15] Would Minerva take over if Dumbledore were removed as headmaster? In CoS, McGonagall took over at Hogwarts when Dumbledore was away, but it has been suggested that Hogwarts would be vulnerable under McGonagall, because she "does not intimidate the Dark Side the way Dumbledore does." McGonagall is the Deputy Head Mistress and that suggests "she must indeed be the superstar amongst the staff, other than Dumbledore". It has also been suggested that Dumbledore is grooming McGonagall to be the next Head of Hogwarts. (Y2919)
McGonagall as Mentor To Hermione"Professor McGonagall made me swear I wouldn't tell anyone. She had to write all sorts of letters to the Ministry of Magic so I could have one". [Hermione, PoA, Chap 21] Similarities in character have been noted between McGonagall and Hermione and some have drawn attention to the mentoring relationship that appears to have developed between them. Although this is not explicit, Hermione makes comments that imply she has more contact with McGonagall than we have seen and the loan of the time-turner in PoA indicated a trust and a bond beyond that we might have deduced. Account must also be taken of the fact that Harry is not likely to have overheard exchanges between them; we are limited to his point of view. The idea that Hermione respects McGonagall and seeks her out as a mentor also brings into question the suggestion that Hermione centres all her friendships on male characters. In this sense, the bond with McGonagall provides some counterbalance for the friendship with Harry and Ron (YG-12/12/00, "Character: Minerva McGonagall")
McGonagall as a Strong Female CharacterSalon.com ran a controversial article about the lack of strong female characters in HP: http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2000/01/13/potter/index.html. The Salon article was described by some as "ugly" and as "throwing hyper-feministic morals on what is essentially a ripping good yarn". Many defended McGonagall as being a "very strong female character". USA Today also ran an article which asked: "Given a choice, what youngster would want to be Hermione Granger or any of the other women, young or old, in the Potter series so far?" The article was seen as ignoring the "brightness and importance" of Professor McGonagall. Another supportive view in this debate held that McGonagall has "become increasingly multidimensional as the series progresses." The representation of women in Harry Potter has been debated several times and there is a consensus that women are sidelined to an extent, although, in interviews, JKR has reacted forcefully to critics who ask her for better female characters. In this context, some members see McGonagall as a very strong character, while others suggest that she simply doesn't have enough to do and needs further development. Whilst there is no denying the lack of page time for female characters, there is a view that this is due largely to the fact that the story is told from Harry's point of view. This was raised very early on, with the suggestion that "in some ways, there should be that predominance toward the boys and the male role models." McGonagall emerged as a mentor to Hermione at the beginning of PoA, but we don't get to see many exchanges between them because Harry doesn't see that. There is little doubt that McGonagall does not carry any significant part of the plot. Arguably, she functions only as an aide or administrative assistant to Albus Dumbledore and some were furious at her for not standing up to Cornelius Fudge and letting the Dementor give the kiss to Barty Crouch Jnr. We are given very little idea of what, if anything, motivates McGonagall, and yet few readers seem inclined to think about it. This is in stark contrast to Snape's motivation, which is a source of constant debate. Snape does seem equal to McGonagall, despite being junior to her in the school hierarchy, and some suggest that this is because his role brings him into constant conflict with Harry, and, therefore, greater focus. (Y370, Y3278, Y4040 with URL, Y4128)
The Book of Magical BabiesWhere in the books does it refer to the magical book that holds the names of all the babies who will develop magical powers? McGonagall is said to refer to this book before sending owls to the new student intake. In one of the online chats with JKR on Scholastic.com, JKR says, "In Hogwarts there's a magical quill which detects the birth of a magical child, and writes his or her name down in a large parchment book. Every year Professor McGonagall checks the book, and sends owls to the people who are turning." (YG-19/01/01 - "Re: Newbie and Hogwart's
Population")
Does McGonagall Know Black is Innocent?Does McGonagall know that Sirius Black is innocent? Since Harry would need permission to go to Hogsmeade in GoF, surely he would have to give her the permission slip signed by Sirius, when he was still, apparently, a convicted murderer? It's true that, at the end of PoA, only Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Dumbledore know the truth about Sirius, but it is assumed that Dumbledore explained all to McGonagall and Snape before the start of the next school year. This would fit with his general trust of those two teachers. |
| All original material is copyright 2002, Harry Potter for Grownups. Do not use this material without permission! created 8/5/01 | last update 8/5/01 | email the webmistress |