CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 20, Hagrid's Tale

Mon Jun 21 04:58:44 UTC 2004

No: HPFGUIDX 102219

Hello all!  In the mood for some more canon-
only discussion?  <g>

SUMMARY: Chapter 20, Hagrid's Tale

Realizing that Hagrid has just returned to 
Hogwarts and needing some cheer after Harry 
had gotten his lifetime ban from Quidditch, 
the Trio sets off for Hagrids as this 
chapter begins.  Though Hagrid is pleased to 
see the kids, Harry, Ron and Hermione are 
shocked to see Hagrids pound of mince 
instead of a face, as Ron puts it.  Despite 
urging from his friends, Hagrid refuses to 
tell what caused his injuries or to seek 
treatments more extensive than slapping a 
greenishly bloody dragon steak on his 
bruised face.

Since the nosyinterferin trio already 
guessed that he was Dumbledores emissary to 
the giants (and because he wants to hear 
about the dementors attack on Harry), 
Hagrid tells HRH the details of his 
adventures.  Along with Madame Maxime, a 
half-giant in her own right, Hagrid had set 
off right after term ended at the end of 
Harrys fourth year.  Because Hagrid didnt 
want to be caught using magic and because 
their mission is suppose to be secret, it 
took about a month for the pair to arrive at 
their destination after giving the berk 
tailing them the slip.

Hagrid and Olympe found a group of giants 
living bunched up together for their own 
protection in the mountains.  Once 
consisting of about a hundred different 
tribes worldwide, the population of giants 
has been dwindling due to natural attrition, 
deaths at the hands of wizards, and most 
significantly, in-fighting.  Since being 
forced into each others too-close company 
by wizards who wanted the giants to live far 
away from the wizarding world, the 
escalation of internal strife has 
drastically reduced the race of giants to 
about only 80 individuals.

The biggest, ugliest and the laziest of the 
group was the Gurg named Karkus.  As the 
chief, Karkus received Dumbledores gift of 
a branch of Gubraithian fire from the two 
envoys, who asked only that he speak to them 
the next day.  Keeping their promise, Hagrid 
and Olympe returned the next day with 
another gift, this time an indestructible 
goblin-made battle helmet.  The pair took 
their time in giving the giants the message 
from Dumbledore to make sure that they 
didnt overload the giants who may then be 
tempted to kill Hagrid and Olympe just to 
simplify things.  This second meeting went 
well and the pair left that day hopeful and 
promising to return.

Alas, before the third meeting with Karkus, 
another giant of the group named Golgomath 
staged a coup d'tat and became the new 
Gurg.  As Hagrid presented him with a great 
roll of dragon skin, Golgomaths minions 
attacked Hagrid.  Luckily, Olympe isnt the 
headmistress of Beauxbatons for nothing and 
used magic to rescue Hagrid.  As the giants 
hate wizards who use magic against them, 
this turn of events meant the two had to go 
underground with their mission.

While hiding out in caves, rethinking their 
strategy, Hagrid and Olympe discovered that 
Macnair and another DE had taken a page out 
of their book and were visiting Golgomath 
every day, bringing gifts to the very 
receptive new Gurg.  Now without a hope of 
persuading Golgomath to see things 
Dumbledores way, Hagrid and Olympe 
proceeded to befriend the giants who hadnt 
wanted Golgomath as Gurg.

They found the beaten-to-a-pulp giants 
hiding in cramped caves, nursing their 
injuriesbut they also spotted the DEs 
prowling around looking for the half-giants.  
Before long, Golgomaths lot raided the 
caves and put the giants who survived off of 
Hagrid and Olympes recruitment efforts.  
Despite the fact that no immediate good has 
come out of his visit to the giants, Hagrid 
did learn of his mothers fate: she has died 
years ago.

HRH change the subject by returning to 
interrogating Hagrid about his injuries.  
Before they gain any ground, Umbridge 
arrives to investigate the three sets of 
footprints that lead to Hagrids door.  
Imperiously, Umbridge invades Hagrids 
personal space, going as far as to peer 
under his bed and open his cupboards without 
so much as a by-your-leave while HRH huddle 
in a corner under the invisibility cloak.

Being the unconvincing liar that he is, 
Hagrid babbles in response to Umbridges 
interrogation.  Umbridge seems to know 
something of the true nature of Hagrids 
trip: she asks whether Hagrids change o 
scene involved mountain scenery.  Getting 
nowhere with Hagrid, Umbridge leaves 
obviously not buying any of Hagrids feeble 
explanations of the footprints, his injuries 
or his late return to Hogwarts.

Despite being told by Umbridge that shell 
be inspecting his teaching as part of the 
Ministrys effort to weed out unsatisfactory 
teachers, Hagrid refuses to listen to 
Hermione when she urges him to be on his 
guard when it comes to his lessons.  Even 
with their best efforts at making Hagrid 
understand that the High Inquisitor is on 
the war path when it comes to teachers close 
to Dumbledore, the trio learns that Hagrid 
has interestin and impressive creatures 
saved for their O.W.L. year.  This chapter 
ends with Hermione determined to get through 
to Hagrid somehow and keep him from being 
sackedeven if it means shed have to plan 
his lessons for him.

QUESTIONS to ponder:

[1]  Hagrids two sets of visitors have one 
thing in common: both the Trio and Umbridge 
are there to investigate Hagrids long 
absence.  The motives are vastly different 
however, as are the manner in which they 
tried to get info out of Hagrid and the 
success of such efforts.  Discuss these 
differences.

[2]  Given what we know of the history 
between the giants and humans (namely the 
WW), what might be reasons on the giants 
part for and against siding with Dumbledore?  
What are the reasons for and against siding 
with Voldemort and his DEs?

[3]  Going forward, what can either side do 
to win over the giants support?  
Dumbledores trust in two half-giants may 
appeal to the giants but given their dire 
straits, what could Voldemort offer them 
that may provide relief from their currently 
extremely unstable living situation?  What 
can Dumbledore do?

[4]  With the revelation of his mothers 
death in this chapter, Hagrid is now 
confirmed to be another example of orphans 
in the HP books.  Compare and contrast 
Hagrid with Harry, Tom Riddle/LV, Neville, 
etc.  How has each orphans loss of parental 
figures and family ties affected their lives 
and the decisions that they make?  What 
influences did the people (or the lack of 
thereof) in their lives who fill such voids 
have on who they are now?

[5]  Has a question arisen from this chapter 
for you?  Pose itplease!  :)

NOTE: For more information on HPfGU's chapter discussions, please see

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/67817 and 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/85829 as well as 

"OotP Chapter Discussions" at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/database

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