Wrappers and SILK GOWNS

[laylalast]

No: HPFGUIDX 79154

A lot of interesting posts have been made about the incapacity of the 
Longbottoms and the significance of the gum wrappers. Instead of 
replying to the different threads I'll try to add some together and 
include my own ideas about these issues. So here goes!

RSFJenny has presented us with SILK GOWNS (post 77145), theorizing 
that the Longbottoms continue to be insane because of Droobles Best 
Blowing Gum. 

I believe this also, so are happy to come aboard.

Following on this, a discussion has evolved about the significance of 
the wrappers. Bboy_mn (post 79023) remarked that the Longbottoms are 
too limited in their abilities to express awareness of Neville (and 
their love for him) other then by giving those gum wrappers to him. 

I agree with that, expecially the fact that the Longbottoms are so 
incapacitated that they can only function at a very low level.

In the same post it was also suggested that there might be some 
scratching on the wrappers which contain a message. 

Possible, but I believe that if the Longbottoms are so incapacitated, 
that even such a simple message is beyond their abilities. But I 
still believe that there is significance in the wrappers and the gum.

Brief Chronicles mentioned in her reply to bboy_mn (post 79028), why 
so much gum? And that is what I think is the significance of the 
wrappers, not the wrapper itself but the amount of wrappers that 
Neville has gotten throughout the years. As grandma points 
out: "Neville, put the wrapper in the bin, she must have given you 
enough of them to paper your bedroom by now." (OOtP, pg 455, UK pb 
ed.). 
Well, that's a lot of wrappers when you come to think of it. Up until 
Neville becomes 11, he can often visit St. Mungo's. Once he starts 
attending Hogwarts, he can visit his parents less often. And gum 
wrappers are not large.
So, yep, the Longbottoms receive a lot of gum one way or the other, 
and that in itself is suspicious.

In addition to this I would like to mention that I think that the gum 
is used in a symbolic way by JKR. What does good sticky bubblegum 
do ? Shut your mouth so you are not able to speak. And that is still 
the case with the Longbottoms. They are not able to speak.

Lilian, now going out to buy a silk (night) gown. <g>