Filch and semantics

[KathyK]

No: HPFGUIDX 83359

bookraptor11 wrote:

>>I'm wondering if it was Dumbledore who abolished the chaining of 
students when he became Headmaster, or even successfully campaigned 
for their elimination while he was just a teacher. Filch said in COS 
that he missed the screaming; we don't know how long he's been 
caretaker. Perhaps he was never allowed to use this punishment and 
is just nostalgic for his own student days, sick little puppy.<<
 
Chiara:

>The verb "miss" can mean two things:
 
- I was there at the time the "screaming" happened, I liked it and I 
feel it should still be there nowadays but it isn't.
 
- I am too young to have witnessed the "screaming" so I didn't 
happen to witness it.
 
<snip> 
The two interpretations might lead to different situations 
concerning Filch and he being a caretaker and/or a student (I doubt 
since canon says he's a squib).<

KathyK:

I made a quick skim through SS and CoS.  Firstly, I thought the 
reference to Filch missing the screaming came from SS, not CoS.  
Second, I thought that was a line from the movie that didn't make an 
appearance in the book.  I looked for the line in the books but 
didn't catch it.  If anyone could point me to a page number, it 
would be greatly appreciated.

What I did find relating to Filch's nostalgia for the old 
punishments is from SS (US ed. 248):
  
"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't 
you, eh?" he said, leering at them.  "Oh yes...hard work and pain 
are the best teachers if you ask me...It's just a pity they let the 
old punishments die out...hang you by our wrists from the ceiling 
for a few days, I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em 
well oiled in case they're ever needed..."

It sounds as if Filch has had experience with being the torturer of 
students.  Saying he's *still* got the chains in his office makes me 
read it as Filch having used them in the past.  However, OoP leads 
me to believe he's never before had chance to use the methods he so 
relishes.  He basically says that he gets to torture the students 
*finally* as if he's never done so before.  He makes no mention of 
having actually done any student torturing before despite his having 
the chains and whips (OoP-Filch had the whips all ready when he got 
his Approval for Whipping) available.

OoP, US 628-629:

"I've been telling Dumbledore for years and years he's too soft with 
you all," said Filch, chuckling nastily.  "You filthy little beasts 
would never have dropped Stinkpellets if you'd known I had it in my 
power to whip you raw, would you now?  Nobody would have thougth fo 
throwing Fanged Frisbees down the corridors if I could've strung you 
up by the ankles in my office, would they:  But when Educational 
Decree Twenty-nine comes in, Potter, I'll be allowed to do all them 
things..."

And OoP, US 673:

"Approval for Whipping...Approval for Whipping...I can do it at 
last...They've had it coming for years..."

Well, that's all I've got for now,

KathyK