Umbridges Motives (some spoilers)

[Hitomi]

No: HPFGUIDX 89397

Vecsey:
> I have just been listening to OOTP on tape (I read it and now I'm 
> just listening), but, I have come to the same conclustion about 
> Umbridge that she knew too much.  She tried to kick out ST and she 
> did kick out Hagrid, she implied Giants to Hagrid, while Harry is 
> under the invisibility cloak in Hagrid's house, the first time 
> Umbridge meets Hagrid.  And WHY did she hate Trelawney so much?  She 
> isn't a half breed, it just didn't add up.  She was trying to kill 
> Harry with the dememtors, and she is (I think) in leage with LV.

I think that's pushing it a little too far, because if she were in 
league with Voldemort, she's got to be the most incompetent Death 
Eater, besides maybe Wormtail.  A lot of Rowling's characters are 
evil without being with Voldemort, and most are exaggerated.  I 
always looked at Umbridge as ignorant, and power-hungry.  She's 
cowardly, and she fears what she doesn't understand (half-breeds).  
I can't really blame her firing Trelawney, Trelawney is apparently 
capable of real prophecy, she just never remembers them when she 
makes one.  

I think Umbridge just wanted power, and she asserted it 
anyway she could, and if firing Trelawney might open the door for 
another Ministry official at Hogwarts (she didn't know Dumbledore 
would hire someone that quickly, much less Firenze), then I think 
she saw that as all for the better.  The thing that sickened me most 
about Umbridge, is that I think she truly believes she's in the 
right.  And that is a classic Rowling character.  Though of course, 
if she does end up in league with LV, I step back in all humble-tude.

 
> What did it for me was when she was going to use the Curcio on 
> Harry to get him to tell her who he was talking to in the fire in 
> her office.  She was enjoying herself.  She talked herself into it. 
> Not like the imperious curse where you do what you are told; no, she 
> was having a really good time.

Well, we already knew she was evil, and besides, the Imperius Curse 
would not have worked anyway.  Harry just throws it off.  


> Maybe old Lord Thingy had told her that she would still be in 
> power at the M of Magic and if she would just help him out a little 
> bit.  I'm waiting for book 6.  I think there is going to be a day in 
> court, and I think THAT is how Arthur is going to get to be Minister 
> of Magic.  I think DU is going to bring down Fudge really quickly.  
> And somehow, maybe Albus is going to suggest Mr. Weasley for the post!
> Hummm can't wait to see.. 

I still don't think she's a Death Eater, just a veeeeery misguided 
adult.  I always saw the MM as a third party device in the plot, the 
MM isn't on either side, the protagonist or antagonist, it's on its 
own side.  Which is realistic of the real world, and what Rowling 
tries to say a lot of the time in her writing - instead of joining 
together, those who are oppressed usually fight among themselves 
(House Elves, Giants, MM vs. Dumbledore, etc.), making it easier for 
the antagonist.  

Do I think there could be truth to Fudge having an army and so forth?  
Most definitely, for which we will have to wait until Book 6.  The WW 
believes Harry, but do I think the MM will just stop being a nuisance 
because of this?  No, it wouldn't be realistic.  Fudge will probably 
fight Dumbledore every step of the way, wanting to lead, when really 
only Dumbledore should.  Yet again, we'll just have to wait and see.  
We probably haven't seen the last of Dolores, but she has been 
discredited, and I don't see how she would be of much use to LV now.  
If Rowling would just finish Book 6...

~ Hitomi, who loathed Umbridge with the fire of a thousand suns