OOP Chapters 11-13 Post DH look

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 183014

> Carol responds:
> I can't imagine any reader not sharing that feeling. Unlike Snape, who
> triggers a range of emotions and responses, Umbridge is set up to be
> loathed (or to inspire "umbrage" in the reader, along with "dolor" in
> the students). I may be the only one who sees this in her, but, to me,
> she symbolizes "teaching to the test" and other government-inspired
> "improvements" to education. Of course, I may be wrongly applying the
> inadequacies of the American educational system to those in Britain.
> (Obviously, this is the wrong forum for discussing that topic.)

Magpie:
I don't know if "teaching to the test" is a problem in the UK, but 
regardless, she's not doing that. The tests are OWLS and she's refusing 
to teach them the practical stuff they need for them. That's why 
Hermione tells the other kids they need a study group.

In general I think she's a combination of contradictory things. We know 
she wants to control the school, but the teachers who are in danger 
from her are the two who would get in trouble under honest evaluators 
anyway. Both teachers who are there due to their personal relationship 
to Dumbledore. Even Harry criticizes them as teachers. We know that 
Umbridge isn't really wanting the best teachers here--she wants people 
who uphold her agenda. But she doesn't seem to be able to attack the 
better teachers the same way (even the one of a different species, 
Firenze).

It seems like any interference in school is the problem--but I think 
that's assuming we're talking about Dumbledore's school. The idea that 
Umbridge is pushing an agenda rather than wanting what's best for the 
students is undercut by the fact that Dumbledore's all about his own 
agenda just as much. So it's kind of a mishmosh imo that comes down to 
Umbridge being mean to the people on Dumbledore's team and liking the 
people not on his team.

-m