CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 30 (Grawp)

[elfundeb]

No: HPFGUIDX 117118

The chapter opens with civil disobedience running rampant in the aftermath of Fred and George Weasley's dramatic departure from Hogwarts.  Umbridge and Filch struggle unsuccessfully to remove the swamp the Twins left.  The number of Skiving Snackboxes they had sold becomes apparent.  A niffler appears in Umbridge's office.  Things start happening to the Inquisatorial Squad. And Peeves, following the Twins' orders, gives 'em hell.

While charming teacups in class, Harry, Ron and Hermione discuss whether to explain what has actually happened to Montague, who has not recovered from his sojourn in the toilet.  Ron comments that he expects Molly to blame him for Fred and George's departure.  When Ron and Hermione begin speculating that they may have raised the galleons to pay for premises via illegal means, Harry confesses that he funded them with his Triwizard winnings.  Ron is very relieved.  Hermione gives Harry questionable looks, but only nags Harry about asking Snape to resume Occlumency lessons, saying Ron told her he was muttering in his sleep.  Harry lies, claiming he was exhorting Ron to reach for the Quaffle; Ron is hurt by the remark but Harry felt vindictive pleasure.  In fact, Harry admits to himself that he had been "quite keen" for the dreams to continue.  

On the morning of the final Quidditch match, Ron is grim.  As the match starts, he gives up a goal, and the Slytherins begin to sing "Weasley is our King".  At that moment, Hagrid appears, black-eyed and dripping blood, and insists that Harry and Hermione leave while everyone else is paying attention.  They follow Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest.  As they walk Hagrid tells them that Firenze had been attacked by the other centaurs after he agreed to teach Divination at Hogwarts, and that Hagrid had stopped it.  Hagrid finally stops in front of an enormous sleeping creature.  Hagrid explains that the creature is his half-brother Grawp, and asks Harry and Hermione to help teach him in the event Hagrid is sacked.  They reluctantly agree.  When Hagrid wakes Grawp up, he acts wildly and takes another swipe at Hagrid's nose.

On the way out of the Forbidden Forest, they encounter a group of centaurs.  They threaten Hagrid for having protected Firenze (whom they call a traitor).  They let him go, however, because 'foals' Harry and Hermione are with him.  As they approach the castle, they hear cheering as the throngs return from the Quidditch match.  They hear "Weasley Is Our King" and realize that the Gryffindors are doing the singing - with new words, then see Ron being carried to the castle on many shoulders. 


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Questions for Discussion

1.    Why do you think Filch supports Umbridge so strongly?  And why does Peeves support the opposite side?

2.    How do you react to Montague's failure to recover?  Is it disconcerting, or just a bit of scatological/cartoon humor (it does involve a toilet, after all)?  What about the contrasting attitudes of Ron and Hermione?  Which view, if any, does JKR endorse?  Why?

3.    Why would Molly blame Ron for the Twins' departure?  Do you think this is indicative of Molly's actual views, does it reflect Ron's own stress about his mother's expectations, or something else?  

4.    Hagrid says if he is sacked, he could be useful to the Order and Grubbly-Plank would get them through their exams.  What do you think Hagrid's role for the order would be?  What about Hagrid as a teacher?  Is his statement a veiled comment about his own competence?  And would hiding a giant in the forest be a serious offense if Umbridge wasn't in charge?

5.    Hagrid calls Grawp "harmless" even though Grawp caused Hagrid's injuries.   He needs to be tied down. Harry doubts he could ever be permitted to mingle with humans.   Is this a signal to reassess Hermione's conclusion in GoF that wizarding attitudes toward giants is "just prejudice"?  Do Grawp's circumstances cause or contribute to his wildness?

6.    We also learn more about the centaurs.  What do their attempt to ban Hagrid from the Forbidden Forest and their willingness to use violence  tell us about them?  Do the centaurs fit into the prejudice theme?  If so, how?

7.    Why does the crowd annoint Ron as the hero of the Quidditch match?  Ginny is conspicuously absent.  Didn't she catch the snitch?  

Debbie

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