DU treatment of Trelawney

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 118125


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "kgpopp" <kgpopp at y...> wrote:
> 
> Kathleen Hunt wrote:
> > > I'm sorry if this has been covered in the past, but
> > > I would like to know if any of you have a theory on
> > > why Umbridge hated and picked on Trelawney? ... I don't 
> > > understand why DU went after her. Please let me know.


> Juli:
> > I think the reason DU picked on Trelawney was
> > that she's a bad teacher, I mean she can't see the
> > future even if her life depended on it, sure she's
> > made 2 real prophecies, but I doubt DU knew anything
> > about them. 
 

> Kristen:
> I also agree that DU though Trelawney was a bad teacher. But more to 
> the point Trelawney was an easy target.   DU was on a power trip, so 
> I think her motive was to get rid of people that were close to DD to 
> make it easier for her to have Hogwarts under her control.
> 
> ...edited... Hagrid and Trelawney were easy target becuase they we 
> the least experianced teacher.  McGonagall and Snape were trickery 
> as they were competent teachers.  ...edited...
> 
> Kristen


bboyminn:

I think Kristen is on the right track here. I think Umbridge picked
Trelawney and Hagrid, because like any good bullies, they were the two
who were least able to defend themselves. Although, I admit they were
the least competent as well. 

Also, given Trelawney's limited abilities, I think Umbridge, like many
of us, speculated the Trelawney was under Dumbledore's protection for
some reason. Knowing the Dumbledore wanted and/or needed Trelawney
near by, it was and easy way to undermine him.

Trying to sack highly competent teachers like McGonagall and Snape
would be very difficult because they are not only VERY much able to
defend themselves magically, but also able to defend themselves
intelectually.

In reality, Umbridge has no real justification to sack any of the
teachers. Her real motive was to undermine Dumbledore as much as
possible. 

I'm not convinced that the Ministry of Magic truly runs Howgarts. I
say they have the power to interfere at Hogwart because they represent
the Law in the wizarding world, and as such, like any government can
create excuses to interfere in any aspect of life. Any real world
government by power of the ability to create self-serving laws is able
to interfere with any aspect of the private life and business of it's
citizens. But the true authorized long term control of Hogwarts is in
the hands of the Headmaster and the private Board of Governors. It is
conceivable the the Goverment has representatives on the Board of
GOvernors to 'protect the public good', but beyond this and the normal
'power of law', I think Hogwarts is a completely private organization.


Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn (was bboy_mn)