The Fundamental Message.../ Heroes...

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 176503

> Jen: The book also makes the point that the power the goblins 
hold, 
> ownership of Gringotts, was taken away from them by Voldemort.  
> Griphook has a vested interest in any wand-carriers who are 
opposing 
> LV.  Goblins do have power in the WW, more than house-elves, 
centaurs, 
> werewolves or some of the other beings/beasts, because they're in 
a 
> position of authority when overseeing the currency.  That's not a 
petty 
> right to have in any world.  Griphook isn't servile to the Trio, 
he has 
> his own agenda just as they do and he's sticking with it.  He 
finds the 
> Trio 'curious' wand-carriers but nothing more - not right, not 
> trustworthy, possibly useful.  Had the intention been to show how 
wrong 
> Griphook was, I believe the story would have made that point by 
> Griphook changing his own views somewhat.  Bill, unlike Hermione 
(part 
> of her characterization), has taken the time to understand goblins 
from 
> their own POV.

Magpie:
I don't think Goblins are important enough to even get into him 
changing his views. My point isn't that Griphook doesn't have his 
own agenda, it's that his agenda is there for the WW to be "complex" 
and not as something that shakes up the Trio's view of the world or 
how to defeat Voldemort. Goblins having control of the bank might 
not be a petty power, but it's obviously one that can be taken away 
(since it is here) and it doesn't put them on the level of Wizards. 
I think if the Trio held a view similar to Griphook's here it would 
come across as the right view, and that Hermione's explanation here 
is the one we need for the story.

-m