Hogwarts vs. Plumfield (was: [HPforGrownups] SHIP: Little Women and H/H)

[Dave Hardenbrook]

No: HPFGUIDX 12581

At 12:59 PM 2/18/01 -0500, Rebecca Boswell wrote:
>     I was reaaaaally dissappointed with the end of Little Women.   I was so
>angry with Jo that I stopped reading the book until it was assigned in
>Language Arts class. I couldn't stand the professor, and I always thought Jo
>would have married Laurie. And I can't stand Amy either...the little evil
>imp.  Grrrrr...

I *like* Professor Bhaer!  Sort of a German Muggle version of Dumbledore!
I think Jo was wise not to marry Laurie; they *wouldn't* have gotten along.
But I wish he could have found someone other than Amy, Dursley-incarnate.
(Her daughter Bess, the "Princess" -- "Veela" would be a more accurate
metaphor -- grates on me as well.)

While this has come up, let me talk about the parallels I see between Hogwarts
and Plumfield (the school Jo and the Professor run in _Little Men_):  I think
Nat is Harry, coming from an abusive upbringing to a place where he belongs
and makes friends.  Dan as a boy is Ron, the best friend, with a bit of a bad
temper.  When Dan grows up in _Jo's Boys_, he becomes very Sirius-like,
including being unjustly imprisoned for murder.  Nan is Hermione, as the
clever, studious one.  Daisy is Ginny, quiet, meek, and hopelessly in love 
with
Nat/Harry; Jack is Malfoy, laboring to keep life from being *entirely* idyllic
for everyone; and Tom is like Fred and George in one with a little of Neville
(as far as forgetfulness and an overwhelming grandmother) thrown in.

As I say, Professor Bhaer is "Dumbledore", mostly... However, I can't
help contrasting his behavior when Nat is accused of stealing money
(he immediately assumes Nat did it) and Dumbledore's when Harry is
thought to be responsible for the "Heir of Slytherin" attacks ("Innocent
until proven guilty, Severus.").  I think D. showed much more wisdom
on that occasion.

                                          -- Dave


PS: Anyone here who doesn't like the Professor might prefer the TV series of
_Little Men_, in which he is killed off and Jo gets romantically involved with
a "Sirius" type...