Bellatrix and Umbridge Re: I hate Fudge!

[festuco]

No: HPFGUIDX 147655

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff Bannister"
<gbannister10 at ...> wrote:

> Curious the similar ways in which they treat the young people. I can 
> understand Umbridge because she appears to be a typical spinster 
> maiden aunt - fluffly cardigan, little hair bow and not knowing how 
> best to treat the class. But Bellatrix does not seem the type to 
> react on the same way.
> 
> Any views out there?


OK, second attempt. My beautiful eloquent and maybe even intelligent
post from yesterday did not make it to the list for one reason or other.

As far as Umbridge is concerned, I don't think it has anything to do
with knowing how to treat a class. She is not interested in that. She
does not care one whit about the classes she teaches and the children
in there. What she cares about is the glorie of Umbridge and I think
it gives her a thrill to address classes as she does, because it makes
it so obvious who is in power. By addressing adolescents like little
children she annoyes them, devalues them and she knows it. But she can
do this, so she will. She has them in her power and she has the
opportunity to make sure they learn only what she wants them to learn,
i.e. nothing. She revels in that power.

Bellatrix is goading Harry. It is more or less the same thing genuine
condescension but also the joy of hurting him and trying to make him
angry so he will make mistakes. 

Gerry