Musings on FB&WTFT

Susan Miller smiller_92407 at yahoo.com
Sun Oct 27 17:16:48 UTC 2002


No: HPFGUIDX 45843

> Julie) writes:
Sirius said when he transformed, that he had animal emotions rather 
than human emotions so the dementors were confused.

The Audra wrote:
First, I assume when an Animagi transforms, they turn physically into 
that animal completely.  If this is so then they would not be able to 
talk, as these animals physically don't have the capability to 
produce the sounds of  human speech.

Me: I agree. Animals can't talk. And it's a good thing, too, could 
you imagine what Rita would have said in Hermione's jar?

Audra:   

If Sirius could still think like a human in his transformed state, 
the Dementors would not have sensed any difference.  Therefore it is 
evident that the dog-Sirius did not think in terms of spoken 
language, but in sensory impressions like any ordinary dog. 

Me:

I have a problem with this. In the very beginning of canon, we are 
introduced to a cat reading a map. If that's not abstract thinking, I 
don't know what is. Prof. McGonagall maintains her humanity while 
transformed. Rita also keeps her humanity, otherwise, how could she 
know where to position herself to get the best scoop? She also was 
apparently able to negotiate with Hermione on what she will need to 
do to get out of her jar. I think Sirius still had his own thinking 
and spoken language, but that it was somehow manifested differently 
enough to fool the Dementors.

Audra:

Another clue is also in the same chapter of PoA.  When Peter is 
returned to human form, Lupin speaks to him as if he would not have 
understood their conversation while he was a rat: "We've been having 
a little chat, Peter, about what happened the night that James and 
Lily died. You might have missed the finer points while you were 
squeaking around down there on the bed." (ch. 19, p. 307).

Me: 

I don't buy this one. I think Peter was perfectly capable of 
understanding, but Lupin wanted to be sure that the point was made in 
case Peter was too busy squeaking and not paying attention, and also, 
Lupin was taking the time for a subtle ratty insult.

I conclude that animagi maintain their humanity, but just in a 
different wrapper.

~~ Constance Vigilance






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