Chapter 27 Padfoot Returns

[ffionmiles at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 10212

In answer to Q.2 about Ront rying so hard to impress - it shows one 
of the greatest things about HP, especially as [technically] a bokk 
for hcildren - in that Joanne gives all characters flaws which we all 
have - they're not all good/bad [except voldemort, because pure evil 
can exist - though they too have a certain charm to those who want to 
be alured by it] - but people we can really love aren't perfect - and 
she's made Ron the least perfect of all of them - sarcastic, short-
tempered, jealous, wanting to impress - but we all know the reasons 
behind it [I mean, will Mrs Weasley ever knit him a jumper that isn't 
maroon?  Her other sons seem to get nicer colours!] and I for one 
can't help loving him even more! 




--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, "Marvin Long" <msl at f...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, "Carole Estes" <lrcjestes at e...>
> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > "If you want to know what a man is like, take a good look at how 
he
> treats
> > his inferiors, not his equals."
> > 
> > "Call me snuffles."
> > 
> > Questions for discussion:
> > 
> > 1. What do you think the quote above says about the wizarding
> culture.  I
> > was uncomfortable when Sirius so casually referred to inferiors 
and
> equals.
> > I know he was speaking in reference to house elves and wizards, 
but
> what
> > might the pecking order of the wizarding world be.  Are house 
elves
> on the
> > same rung as hippogriffs in the world of magical creatures.  Are 
the
> > inferiors simply non-humans or are there inferior humans as the
> Malfoys
> > believe.  And does Sirius believe there are inferior humans?
> 
> I think Sirius was talking about the universal social pecking order
> that exists no matter how egalitarian one's personal ideals.  How 
well
> does the boss treat his employees, for instance.  How does the
> affluent person treat the homeless panhandler, or the witch her
> elves.  In short, how you react when you find yourself in a superior
> position with respect to another person or being tells volumes 
because
> such a position offers a chance to tyrranize and demean on the one
> hand and a chance to encourage and uplift on the other.  
> 
>  
> > 2. What do you think of Ron in this chapter.  Was he coming across
> as trying
> > too hard to impress everyone, between the other students with his
> tall tale
> > about battling the merpeople and trying to discount Hermione's
> observations
> > during the cave discussions.
> 
> I think Ron is clearly insecure and feels he has to compete just to
> matter:  Harry is famous, Hermione is brilliant, but Ron is
> just...Ron.  Hermione is an easier target than Harry for churlish
> behavior, I suspect.
>  
> > 3. What about Hermione.  Is she showing more maturity than typical
> of her
> > age?
> 
> She's way cool.  I don't understand why so many people seem to think
> she'd be a difficult "match."  For a dullard, yeah, but IMO she's
> quite a sexy brain.  Ahem, for a 14-yr. old.
> 
> > 4. Did anyone pick up any clues that were useful to figuring out 
the
> ending
> > in his chapter?
> 
> We learn that another Crouch exists, which is a clue to things
> witnessed on the Marauder's map, but I personally never made that
> connection.
> 
> > 5. Snuffles!  How cute is that?
> 
> Beats Scabbers, anyway.  (Non sequitur:  I wonder how an animagus
> reacts if, when in animal form, another critter of the same species
> goes into heat....)