[HPforGrownups] Hagrid's Personality

[rachel day]

No: HPFGUIDX 47670

Shane Wrote:

>>It 
would seem from Hagrid's speech patterns that he is from the North of 
England (but I'm open to correction on this), possibly near Scotland or 
maybe even on the border of Wales.  This would also offer opportunity for 
his Mum and Dad to have met, as I assume that giants are found most commonly 
in mountainous regions. <<

Being from the North of England myself (Yorkshire) I have to say that Hagrid's accent is definitely not northern (any doubts I might have had were put right by TMTMNBN.) 

I always thought that Hagrid's dialect was more Cornish (the south-west tip of England), though if there are any locals around and I'm wrong please feel free to flame me *ducks down*. :-)

I think the  reason why people might think Hagrid was northern is because the southern counties tend to speak more the 'Queen's English' (it sounds dead posh - compared to us yokels anyway ;-) ). The northern accent tends to be (in my experience)  coarser, with more slang used. 'H' s aren't pronounced at the beginning of words, nor are 'T' s at the end for example. We're pretty much lazy talkers, to put it bluntly. ;-)

I do agree that it sounds more fitting that the Giants would be found up in Scottish Highlands than the Cornish countryside. I can't really see them walking down to the local supermarket. They seem more of recluses to me, hidden away in the mountains.


Shane also wrote;
>>...Blast-Ended Skrewts (Hagrid's idea of a fun bit of cross species 
breeding).<<

I've always been curious just what Blast-Ended Skrewts are a cross OF, especially since I searched unsuccessfully in FB for them. Any ideas anyone?


On why Hagrid is so fond of "interestin' creatures"
>>Maybe Hagrid's love for the animals that everyone else hates is a projection 
of how he must feel.  Very few people took the time to get to know and love 
*him*.  It's probable that there were times in his life when other children 
ran away from him, maybe even times when he hurt people because he didn't 
know his own strength.  Hagrid probably thought that, if only people would 
take the time to get to know him, they would see that he wasn't bad or evil.<<

I think this is brilliant theory.  He has empathy for these creatures because they reflect how he must have felt. isolated and misunderstood. Despite Hagrid's intimidating stature we know he wouldn't hurt a fly. He is indeed a gentle giant. (although recent 'Flesh Eating Slug Repellent Posts' may cast doubt on this). This is all coming back to the underlying theme of prejudice within the books.



>>(have any of you ever 
wondered about the logistics of Hagrid's Dad and his Mum getting intimate?  
I don't wonder he decided to wait for a more suitably proportioned 
girl-friend)<<


Oh I've wondered!  (though I'm really not as sick and twisted as I sound - honest!) the 
logistics blow my mind! Though I suppose kids (with their innocent young minds ;-) ) wouldn't think about such things.


Also, has anyone ever wondered where Hagrid *lived* after his expulsion from Hogwarts, with one absent parent and one dead. Especially as there has been speculation whether he took the Groundskeeper job straight away. Did he have other relatives he could stay with? If so why haven't we heard of them? And will we hear from them in future books?

regards,
Rachel