GoF Ch 17- 20 post DH look - DRAGONS

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 182010

 
> Carol responds:
> Or how you're defining "sentient." Clearly, they're aware of sense
> impressions, which is how I define the term. 

Potioncat:
Incorrectly from the looks of it---your definition, Webster's 
definition and the context of the novel it appeared in tonight 
(what's the chances?) are all different than what I thought when I 
first read it decades ago in Science Fiction. (And the book isn't 
Science fiction, but does take place in Wales.)


> 
> Carol:
> I do. they're rated XXXXX, the most dangerous classification. You're
> right about the MacFusty clan, which manages the Hebridean Blacks. I
> can't find any reference to "herds" or whatever (I'm sure the 
correct
> term isn't "flock"!), but I only skimmed the relevant pages, 
including
> the Introduction (which answers some of Mike's questions, as does 
the
> short section on the Romanian Longhorn), so I no doubt missed some
> things on this rereading (and I'd forgotten quite a bit of what I'd
> previously read, including the Macfusty clan).

Potioncat:
Well, I had my own reasons for remembering the Macfusty clan. In 
fact, I once forgot that only in my imagination, is Florence a 
Macfusty.

How about a Fright of dragons? But the Blacks are solitary and 
wouldn't fly all together. So maybe there's no word for a group of 
dragons...other than "Wow!" or "Take cover!"


> 
> Carol:
> The Bambi factor? I don't think that the apparent sweet innocence or
> helplessness of dragons has anything to do with it. 


Potioncat:
But Hagrid thinks they're sweet!

Just to be clear, I meant us, not the WW, as imposing a Bambi factor, 
but I intended more your line---something special about dragons that 
doesn't go with raising them for slaughter. 


>  
> Carol, who thinks that the MacFustys may harvest their dragons like
> cattle but can't imagine Charlie doing it


Potioncat:
Is that what FBAWTFT says, or does something imply it? I always 
thougth of it as a preserve where the dragons were protected, but 
where products might be used if a dragon died or needed to be put 
down.  (I'm not sure I said it that way in my previous post.)