Double standards... what about Umbridge?

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 125465


Alla:

I am afraid I don't understand your argument. Umbridge's detentions
were disgusting, immoral, cruel... Pick your own word. :)
I don't even remember anyone arguing that Umbridge was
purely "exercising her authority" and therefore it was OK. It surely
was not me. :o)

Some posters argued that detentions were good BECAUSE they showed
to Harry how dangerous Umbridge was, but that is not exactly
defending her , isn't it?

No matter which character will be doing such disgusting thing, male
or female, I can assure you, I won't praise or even justify it. It
is just NOT justifiable at all, IMO.

I don't know whether I agree with you that it was bad plot device .
I honestly don't know. I don't know what JKR had in mind introducing
it. I mean I agree with Rebecca that we were supposed to feel sick
while reading it, but besides that I am not sure whether it advanced
plot much or not.

I guess it accomplished one thing for me - it made me sympathise
with Harry even more I already did.

vmonte responds:

I wonder if what Umbridge did to Harry had any lasting effects (aside
from the psychological)? Do you think that there is going to be a key
moment where Harry will need to lie, for example to save someone
else, and on his hand a raised mark will appear stating that he is
lying? So, even though let's say that Harry becomes a good occlumens, 
his hand will betray him.

Vivian - Who thought that the most disturbing scene in the movie the
Exorcist was when the priest saw the words: "help me" rise from the
stomach of the possessed child.