Umbridge - Consequnces Be Damned

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 147863

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "zgirnius" <zgirnius at ...> wrote:
>
> > April responds:
> > 
> > What exactly was Umbridge's agenda in OOTP by sending a 
> > dementor to Harry?  Did she want him 'dead' for a lack of
> > better term, or what exactly  was her deal?  We know she 
> > was going to be sent to work at Hogwarts reguardless of 
> > whether or not Harry was found guilty.  ...
> > 
> zgirnius:
> The point was to discredit Harry. The Ministry is spreading the
> (Harry's) story that this is nonsense.
> 
> Having Harry testify that he was attacked by Dementors (when 
> everyone knows they are all in Azkaban) would demonstrate yet
> again that Harry is a disturbed and attention-seeking adolescent
> with a persecution mania.
>

bboyminn:

I think Umbridge's intent, indeed every aspect of her existance and
actions, are based in Power. I think we see enough evidence in the
clues we are given about the nature of Umbridge to see that she is a
very insecure person. Fearing her own powerlessness, she grasps on to
tokens of power. In a sense, she defines herself by the power she
holds. It gives her her worth and sense of self-importance, and
NOTHING but absolutely NOTHING can be allowed to weaken or damage her
self-image of a powerful and superior person. 

Umbridge is in a powerful position, the books seem to imply that she
is in the number TWO spot in terms of power, though not necessarily in
terms of succession to the 'throne'.  So, to threaten the Ministry or
the Minister, is to threaten its power, and to threaten its power is
to threaten Umbridge herself. Therefore, any threat to her or her
power must be immediately STOMPED DOWN regardless of consequences. 

That is exactly what she does. Umbridge see Harry as a threat to her
power and therefore to herself, and she STOMPS HIM DOWN, puts him in
his place, makes him think twice before he dares to threaten her. If
Harry happens to be destroyed in the process of learning his place in
life, then that will just have to serve as a unfortunate lesson to
anyone else who might consider challenging her power.

Umbridge's attitude in the fewest words -

"I have power and I will destroy anyone who threatens it, consequences
be damned."

As a side note: 'The Bartimaeus Trilogy' by Jonathan Stroud very
nicely illustrates what might happen if Magicians reveal themselves to
muggle society and integrated into it. Naturally the wizards are the
ruling class and they do everything they can to suppress the
commoners. Libraries are close, the propaganda press is filled with
misinformation, knowledge of science and math are withheld from
commoners; everything possible is done to keep the masses docile and
compliant. Sadly, if only life were so easy.

Meanwhile the wizards are all vying for status and postion. The usual
method of lifting oneself up is by pushing other around you down so
you will look better by comparison. In fact, everyone is so busy
trying to look good while making everyone else look bad that nothing
ever gets done because to do the job is to risk failure. It really is
a wonderful insight into an alternate world of magicians.

In a sense, it is the expansion of a very Fudge/Umbridge like
government. Where power and status are everything and consequences be
damned as long as you look good and don't get caught.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn