Cats-Kneazles-Crookshanks-Arabella Figg

[catherine at cator-manor.demon.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 19452

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Scott" <insanus_scottus at y...> wrote:
> Arabella Figg. Who is she and when will we find out about her? I 
> recently finished reading "Jude the Obscure" (yes I was reading it 
in 
> Feb., but I put it down for a month, or two, or three :-) so...) 
and 
> while I don't think JKR necessarily took Arabella's name from it, 
it 
> IS the only other book I've ever read with a character named 
> Arabella. Any speculation? (If this is correct I don't think we 
> should hold out much hope for her character.)
> 
> As far as Crookshanks goes there has been lots of theories as to
> M(r)s. Figg being an animagus etc. But my best bet is that
> 
> A) She's a Kneazle breeder, and that's why there are so many "cats" 
> around.
> or B) The cats are there to detect anything unsavoury that might 
harm 
> Harry. 
> 
> I know, I know! Both these thoughts have been expressed before, but 
> It seemed like a nice thing to add to the  Arabella thread.
> 
> Scott

Again, this is slightly OT, but, it may have some relevance...  
Another Arabella I though of was Georgette Heyer's character in the 
book of the same name.  This character is very good - she is a 
vicar's daughter, and although she takes fashionable Regency London 
by storm, she is very tender-hearted - rescuing orphan chimney-sweep 
boys from their masters who beat them, adopting stray dogs etc. etc.  
Perhaps Arabella Figg is runing an unofficial home for stray 
cats/kneazles?  And perhaps she thinks it is her duty to keep an eye 
on poor orphan Harry??

Catherine