[HPforGrownups] CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 30 (Grawp)

Wed Nov 3 16:34:39 UTC 2004

No: HPFGUIDX 117137

Debbie wrote:
7.    Why does the crowd annoint Ron as the hero of the Quidditch match?
Ginny is conspicuously absent.  Didn't she catch the snitch?
She did, but Ron had been having trouble all year. To hear them talk, he
hadn't saved a goal all ear. To see him do well after all his struggles and
overcome his confidence issues on the field... Yes, Ginny caught the snitch,
but Ron's transformation from fumbling and lunging keeper with no confidence
to competent was a relief. He needed the reinforcement, I suppose. The
quidditch fanatic in me is extremely upset with Hagrid for pulling us away
from Ron's triumph. I wish I'd seen the match.
Betty, who feels she was just rambling away and didn't answer very well
'Peace and freedom, do you say? The North would have known them little but
for us. Fear would have destroyed them. But when dark things come from the
houseless hills, or creep from sunless woods, they fly from us. What roads
would any dare to tread, what safety would there be in quiet lands, or in
the homes of simple men at night, if the Dunedain were asleep, or were all
gone into the grave?
'And yet less thanks have we than you. Travellers scowl at us, and
countrymen give us scornful names. "Strider" I am to one fat man who
lives within a day's march of foes that would freeze his heart, or lay his
little town in ruin, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet we would not
have it otherwise. If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they
will be, and we must be secret to keep them so.'
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "elfundeb" <elfundeb at comcast.net>
To: <HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 12:22 AM
Subject: [HPforGrownups] CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 30 (Grawp)


>
> 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.
>
>
> ************
>
> 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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