[HPforGrownups] Re: ESE!McGonagall (not what you think)

[Jeremiah LaFleur]

No: HPFGUIDX 164643

Snip!
> Caspen wrote:
> > And, as Julie asks, if she's so loyal, why doesn't Albus trust her
> more, and why doesn't he confide in her? It really doesn't make
sense to me, regardless whether she's secretly a hot-head or not.

> Debbie responded:
> > That trust issue looms large, doesn't it? The reason I continue
to be enamored of ESE! McGonagall is that the only other reason I can
> come up with for McGonagall to be so out of the loop is very
> unpleasant -- it's that McGonagall (like most of the other women in
> the story) doesn't really have a narrative function except to serve
as a stereotype spinster schoolteacher. And it does fit -- she's stern,
> no-nonsense, competent and efficient, but underneath has a soft spot
> for her 'children'. She's a stock character in fiction, the type
who provides atmosphere -- she gets no action, no mystery, and no
growth.
> <snip>

> Carol chimes in:
> I think her usually concealed softness or emotionalism is the reason
> that DD doesn't trust her with every detail of his anti-Voldemort
> plan, that and her already heavy workload and his need-to-know
policy.
> She doesn't need to know about the blood protection, for example,
> because she's not involved. McGonagall is quite competent as a
> teacher, disciplinarian, HoH, and assistant headmistress, but
that's a
> heavy workload for a woman of her age, "sprightly" or not, witch or
> not. He only uses her, at least until OoP, for matters directly
> related to Hogwarts and its students, and even there it's not clear
> what she does for the Order during the summer holidays. something
not
> too strenuous, probably, involving a disguise as a Muggle.
<Snip!>

Caspen:

<snip> I have one huge problem with every part
of Carol's theory as to why Dumbledore doesn't trust Minerva (above),
except her proposition that he distributes all information on a need-
to-know only basis. In fact, my huge problem may not even be
primarily Carol's, but, (and I am very sorry to say this, as I admire
her work so deeply) Jo's -- harking back to the famous interview in
which she was aked why there weren't more strong female characters in
her HP saga. She responded that she felt both Hermione and Minerva
are those characters. BTW, this interview is referenced and, I
believe, even linked, in another (and excellent) post in this thread
where all JKR's interview comments on Minerva are listed.

Unfortunately Carol, and, I doubt this is conscious on your part,
every one of the reasons you offer above for Dumbledore's lack of
trust in McGonagall, with the exception of "need-to-know," which may
be the correct answer for all I know, is just frankly extremely
sexist. I fail to see how Minerva's "usually concealed softness or
emotionalism," for instance, exceeds Dumbledore's in any way; in
fact, it seems to me that we see a lot more teary eyes from him
throughout the books. As for "her already heavy workload," how's
it any heavier than his? I don't see McGonagall, who actively enabled
Hermione to carry an extra-heavy work load in POA, shrinking from any
extra work. And what on earth is the justification of these (oft
repeated in this thread) words, Carol? "For a woman of her age?"
Haven't I just read in this thread that it's generally accepted that
Dumbledore is considerably older than Minerva? Didn't she fully
recover from the effects of multiple stunnings in OOTP?

CaspenPeeved





Jeremiah:



Well, all of that is good and fine. I'd never considered ESE!McGonagall
until this thread started. (So, thank you to all who have contributed).



I have a few issues about the possibility, though, but it would lead to a
Ever So Truly, Deeply Evil McGonagall and I'm not sure I can handle that
right now, however… Since I've begun re-reading the series (an annual event
I'm sure most of us on this board engage in) I've decided to read it with
the ESE!McGoangall eye. So far I've noticed 2 strange things.



In the first chapter of PS/SS there are the references to Voldemort.
McGonagall can't say the name and tries to wiggle her way out of saying it.
DD tries to convince her that saying LV's name is sensible and she
reluctantly does so. A DE would not do this but if McGonagall is truly a
plant then maybe she would. Reluctantly so, but to keep her cover… would
she?



The second thing I'm noticing (and it's probably a fashion choice) is that
McGonagall wears a lot of Emerald Green. Even as Head of Gryffindor that's a
lot of green for her to wear in those books, and to have it mentioned by our
beloved author. I know, it probably matched her eyes or looks beautiful with
her complexion. But JKR likes to mention the fact that she's in green, and
not just any green… emerald green. (I just finished CoS and will be looking
into this at every chance).



Now, this is all circumstantial and I really don't have any more than that,
but I like the chance to read a character from a totally different
perspective than what I had ever imagined possible. Hmmmm…



Jeremiah: (Looking for more clues and still not convinced, but liking the
idea and hoping there's something there…)


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