Chapter Discussion: Goblet of Fire Ch. 4: Back to the Burrow

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 191458


> >
> > QUESTIONS
> > 
> > 2. Arthur admits that Muggle fireplaces should not "strictly speaking" be connected to the Floo network, but that a friend fixed it for him. What does this tell us about Arthur? Do you think his disregard for the rules is justified in this instance?
> 
> Potioncat:
> Could be just another example of "Gryffindors don't have to follow the rules."  I'm not sure if it's JRK giving Arthur a flaw or two, or if she also thinks it's OK to fix things for friends. Doing favors for friends seems to be the general way of operating in the WW.  But back to my first sentence---Gryffindors seem to feel only non-Gryffindors need to follow rules.

Pippin:
It's not just Gryffindors, is it? IMO, everyone  in canon has an unconscious tendency to minimize the transgressions of people they like and trust (including themselves), while construing those of outsiders and enemies  as evidence of  dangerous moral decay. 

I think it stands out when Gryffindors do this because we expect them to live up to their ideals and be fair -- but it may be that being truly fair is no more attainable an ideal than  being truly  pureblood.

Pippin