CHAPDISC:HBP19,Elf Tails

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 157515

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Magpie" <belviso at ...> wrote:
>
> > Kathryn Jones:
> >
> > 11. Hagrid called Filch "a sneaking Squib." ...
> >
> > Houyhnhnm snipped:
> >
> > I think it is Filch's personality that Hagrid dislikes 
> > rather than the fact that he is a Squib.
> 
> Snow:
> 
> Yep! I thought that Filch was making Hagrid feel that he 
> was as far down the totem pole as Filch always thought 
> he was and Hagrid plucked ... inform(ed) Filch that he 
> was at the very least a teacher ...
>
 
> Magpie:
> ...we do all realize that what you described is classic
> bigotry, right?  That Hagrid is asserting his  "dominance" 
> by reminding Filch of his inferior circumstances ....
> 
> -m
>


bboyminn:

No, I don't personally think that Hagrid's actions are bigoted. He is
responding to an insult with an insult, but it is Filch who levels the
first insult. 

Would Filch have taken the same attitude with any of the other
teachers? I don't think so. 

Filch is showing complete disrespect for Hagrid and for Hagrid's
position as a teacher. As a teacher, Hagrid would have the authority
to escort students around the school after hours. Filch should and
does know this. 

Further it is an moment of crisis, and exceptional moment, and Filch
certainly should have made an allowance for that. But Filch is so
caught up in his 'war' with the students that he momentarily forgets
that Harry has an excuse for being out of bed and that Hagrid is a
teacher with authority.  

In a way though I understand Filch's mistake. He has little power in
his war against the students and against Peeves, and it must be
extremely frustrating to be charged with after-hours order and the
general up-keep of the castle. So, I can see his overenthusiasm at
finally having caught someone. I imagine anyone working with that many
students in a boarding school would be frustrated, and that is
probably, most surely, compounded by the fact that the students are
magical. 

None the less though, Filch actually started the incident when he
failed to recognise the circumstances and to recognise Hagrid's authority.

Just one man's opinion.

Steve/bboyminn