2 Maddening Questions

[Hitomi]

No: HPFGUIDX 91209

Insane Sen (nice name ;) ) wrote: 
> #2- WHY WHY WHY didn't Harry say anything about that digusting, 
> revolting, macabre quill of Professor Toads and the detentions? 
Why 
> didn't he go see McGonagall or ANYONE? I understand the fact that 
he 
> wanted to tough it out and not give Professor Toad the 
satisfaction 
> of knowing he told someone, but COME ON. There's certain times 
when 
> you've got to draw the line instead of being a stubborn prat! 
 
Hitomi:
I really, really like Naama's interpretation (from the post "Harry 
as Martyr"):

"Umbridge punishes Harry for telling that Voldemort has arisen, and 
she punishes him by making him cut his own flesh with *words.* Like 
the original martyrs, Harry could stop the torture by recanting his
story, but he doesn't. He continues to suffer, and it's made clear
that in a way, he seeks this confrontation, this test to his
endurance. So the torture continues. Eventually, the words remain
engraved on his flesh. Like the stigmata..." 

It does have a certain martyrdom flair about it.  It looks so much 
more as if he's telling the truth to take the punishment, than to 
complain to a teacher, and not fight for his cause.  And the person 
he needs most to prove himself to on this count is Umbridge.  He 
proves himself equal to whatever she throws at him.  I find it 
highly admirable.

Though, I do think Harry should have said something concerning Lee 
Jordan; by that time, his personal confrontation with 
Umbridge's "Quill-of-Evilness" was over. (and where did she get such 
a thing anyway?  Knockturn Alley?)

~ Hitomi