[HPforGrownups] Re: Sadism or not ? McGonagall and her punishments

[Sheryll Townsend]

No: HPFGUIDX 186759


> > Sheryll:
> > 
> > I don't necessarily see this as evidence that there
> are no regulations as to hair or hair accessories. All this
> is is a rudimentary shopping list. It is by no means an
> inclusive list of what students can bring to school with
> them. Simply because something isn't mentioned, doesn't mean
> a reasoned conclusion can't be made. After all, there's no
> mention of the students showering, but I'd lay odds they
> don't go dirty all year. 
> 
> a_svirn:
> I'd say it's a pretty inclusive list. What's showering has
> to do with uniforms? You don't need include shampoo and soap
> into the list of uniform requirements, it's absurd. But if
> you are getting your kid ready for a boarding school with
> specific (and very strict) hair regulations you need to know
> what they are. If you son sport dreadlocks and the school
> requires all boys to have a neat short haircut you'd have to
> take him to the barbers. If the school requires girls'
> bands, Alice bands and hairclips to be of specific colour
> you'd need to buy all those items, wouldn't you? Or some of
> them. 
> 
Sheryll again:

It's not at all an inclusive list. I see no mention of undergarments (which I'll agree wouldn't be regulated) or shoes, which I think would have *some* guidelines. I think it's safe to assume they don't go barefoot, so they are required to bring shoes. I also think it's safe to assume that the guidelines for everyday footwear don't include stiletto heels, which would be highly improper for classes like Herbology or Care of Magical Creatures. What is provided with the Hogwarts letter is a list of items the students would likely need to *purchase*, things they probably don't already have at home. Even Draco, coming from a well-to-do family, is seen going to Madame Malkin's to buy the necessary robes.

So JKR didn't draft a student handbook for us to read. I think it's safe to say something of the sort exists, either written to be handed to the students on arrival or verbally provided by prefects. 

Students will bring things other than what is required as uniform. Most of them will already know, either from relatives, neighbours or friends, that there will be occasions when uniforms aren't worn and pack accordingly. I imagine some leeway is granted, for example, to student who don't go home over breaks. 

The point of my mentioning students bathing isn't to point out that personal hygiene items aren't on the list but to point out that there are lots of things that JKR simply doesn't write about. She doesn't write about them brushing their teeth, but I would think that they do. 

> > Sheryll: 
> > There are also lots of rules that don't get mentioned
> in the initial letters to students. Some of them are given
> by Dumbledore at the Opening Feast. 
> 
> a_svirn:
> What rules? That the Forbidden Forest and a certain
> corridor are forbidden? You don't include thing like that
> into a list of uniform requirement either. As for dungbombs
> and other Zonko products, not only it has nothing to do with
> uniforms, parents only need to have some rudimentary common
> sense to know that things like dungbombs aren't something
> you should equip your kid with. 
> 
Sheryll: 

Ah, but that's just my point. There are rules for students that aren't mentioned on a short shopping list. Those rules can, and likely do, include a range of things. It's those rules that are passed on at school that might include, IMO, guidelines as to what is acceptable when. Sure, the girls might bring make-up and hair accessories, not all of which would be appropriate for everyday wear.

While it's fine to say that they were provided with a list of what to bring, I don't think it's also possible to extrapolate that these are the only items that are part of their uniforms. I believe it's more reasonable to assume that this is just the list of things they'll have to go out and purchase for first year. They don't need to purchase pyjamas, undergarments, socks and shoes, or hair accessories. They already own them. Whether they choose to pack and bring items that might not be appropriate for everyday wear is up to them. If they bring and wear those items when they shouldn't, they should expect to be reprimanded or punished. 

Sheryll


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