CHAPTER 17 DISCUSSION:Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four

[fauntine_80]

No: HPFGUIDX 97048

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "a_rude_mechanical" 
<a_rude_mechanical at y...> wrote:
> Because I'm long-winded, I've decided to do my chapter discussion in
> two parts.  <SNIP>
> 
> In the very next paragraph, we learn that something has been affixed
> to the bulletin board in the Common that is so large it covers 
> every other notice on the board.  
> 
> ~~Isn't this an interesting visual?  Some of the notices were
> official, ie Filch's list of rules.  Umbridge is already, visually,
> overriding 
> everyone's authority in the school.~~  
> 
> ~~There doesn't seem to be an aspect of the school that she cannot
> touch-what does it say about the MoM that one person is allowed 
> this much control?  Is Umbridge always working under the direction 
of
> the MoM, or does she also enjoy and sometimes abuse the 
> power that she's been given?  What is Rowling telling us about
> power-both how you use it and to whom you give it?~~

I really think she is abusing it.  We see this near the end of the 
book when she is about to Crucio Harry for information.  That is 
DEFINITELY NOT a ministry regulation.  We also know that to use one 
of the unforgivables  you have to be pretty dark yourself.  So, I 
think this aknowledges DJ as part evil, even if she is not a DE.



> ~~I love the names that JKR gives her characters-what
> images/emotions/thoughts/memories does the name "Dolores Jane
> Umbridge" 
> bring to your mind?~~

Well, Dolores (Dolor/Dolore) means "Pain" in Spanish and Italian.  
How apropriate...

Jane - we hear her described as not very good looking, so maybe 
a "plain Jane."  

And Umbridge - someone suggested as 
Umbrage"  "(n.) The feeling of being overshadowed; jealousy of 
another, as standing in one's light or way; hence, suspicion of 
injury or wrong; offense; resentment." - Brainy Dictionary

> 
> ~~Also, the Gobstones Club is mentioned here-I seem to recall
> Gobstones being mentioned when Harry visits the MoM at the 
> beginning of the book.  What are Gobstones, again?  ~~

> 
>   Harry and Ron decide to tell Hermione, 
> and Ron bounds up the girls staircase.    
> 
 
> 
> ~~Rowling spends more time discussing these stairs than she might
> have.  Is this important?  Will it become more important?  Or is 
> she simply expanding the new world of boys and girls that the
> characters are discovering?~~

I think the scene is just a colorful addition to the book, and kind 
of a slap in the face to Ron, who is just starting to think of 
Hermione as a "girl."


> 
> When she learns about the decree, Hermione reveals that she put a
> jinx on the parchment that all the members of the DA were asked 
> to sign, and if any of them had snitched (heehee) they would have
> broken out in some horrible rash.   And with that, the Magnificent 
> Three head down to the Dining Room to see if anyone looks splotchy. 
> 
> ~~Do you think Hermione's idea to jinx the parchment was a clever
> safety measure or a low trick?  Or both?  What does it tell us 
> about the nature of Hermione?~~

I think it was clever.  Just like in real war, you take preventitive 
measures.  This was a good way of sending a warning sign, that way, 
the person couldn't turn into a spy.  Think about it this way, if the 
blisters had never appeared, HRH might never have found out who the 
turncoat was, and would constantly be on edge and paranoid trying to 
figure out who betrayed them.
 



> ~~Perkins
.where have we heard that name before?  Perkins is Mr.
> Weasley's co-worker at the MoM and is also the man who 
> loaned his tents to the Weasley's for the Quidditch Cup.  Is it a
> coincidence that Binns calls Harry by the name Perkins?~~

There could be some connection, but I just took it as Prof. Binns 
usual demeanor of uninterest and can't recall Harry's name properly.  
I don't think he ever calls a student by their real name.  (Like 
calling someone "Joan" instead of "Jane")  It may or may not have any 
significance.  I really don't think it will since Prof. Binns is a 
ghost and really doesn't have any business outside of Hogwarts.


 
> 
> The message, from Sirius, reads "Today, same time, same place." 
> Harry catches up with Ron and Hermione and relates what 
> happened in the staffroom.  Ron and Hermione wonder if someone
> intercepted Hedwig.  (hel-LO!!)  Harry explains that the "same 
> place" mentioned in the message is the fireplace, and Hermione hopes
> that no one read the letter, but admits that it's too late now as 
> there's no way to warn Sirius
> 
> ~~I think it was around this point when I first started to really be
> bothered by Sirius.  Doing this, he is putting more people than 
just 
> himself in jeopardy.  Sirius thinks with his heart, and so is
> constantly putting people at risk.  Was he a liability to the Order?

Yes, he was a huge liability.  For one thing, he was the most sought 
after man in the WW, and if anyone found him in connection with 
ANYONE, they would be held accountable.
In a way, it does simplify a lot of things now that he is gone.  (I 
am NOT saying I am happy he is gone - for all of you Sirius fans out 
there)  But, no one has to worry about him being seen, or getting HP 
into trouble, or arguing with Snape, etc. anymore.  It is sad he is 
gone, but it actually helps the plot a little.
> 
>