Fudge: DE or not? (was Re: 50 Questions I would like answered..)

[stickbook41]

No: HPFGUIDX 55133

Phyllis:
> I believe JKR is intentionally trying to make us question Fudge's 
> motives.  From his very name to the bizarre way he dresses to his 
> contradictory actions, he simply exudes mistrust. My own personal 
> thinking is that Fudge is not a DE or a "Voldemortist," but that he 
> will contribute to the efforts of the Dark Side by his inaction in 
> facing the reality of Voldemort's return.

I think you sort-of contradict yourself.  I always found Fudge to be 
painted more or less as Harry sees him--"a little pompous, a little 
blustering, but essentially good-natured."  The lime-green bowler hat 
is a clue that maybe we shouldn't take him as seriously as we would 
take someone who dresses like Crouch Sr (who appears to be the only 
adult in the WW with any kind of Muggle-style dress sense).  I don't 
think this spells out mistrust so much as it does short-sightedness.

Fudge is dangerous, for sure, but only through inaction.  He seems 
like a simple man, and throwing in complications like Voldemort is a 
personal threat to expose him as such.  I don't think he's capable of 
ulterior motives or underhanded evilness.  Sorry, but FIE! doesn't 
register with me... yet...

I may change my mind in 71 days!

Cheers!

-stickbook