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

[Dorothy]

No: HPFGUIDX 191403

QUESTIONS

1. The Dursleys are horrified by the Weasleys' unorthodox arrival via the Floo network. Shouldn't they be relieved that the neighbors won't notice any wizards in robes arriving or leaving?

Dorothy:
I think the Dursleys are ready to complain about anything.  One toe out of line will give them reason to express their displeasure of the wizarding world.  However, arriving in the fireplace, while common in the wizarding world, is not common for anyone but Santa in the Muggle world.  I too would have been in shock and not on my best manners.

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?

Dorothy:
I think Arthur does his best to be a grown up and father since he has kids and Molly watching him.  At heart, Arthur is just like Fred and George.

5. Dudley appears to be in danger of suffocation from the ton-tongue toffee. How do you feel about this -- does Dudley engage your sympathies? Why or why not? Was it fair for Fred to use sweets to bait a starving boy who's terrified of wizards?

Dorothy:
When I read it, I thought it was funny.  Fred and George would not have left behind candy that would actually kill Dudley.  They have a mischevious streak, not a killer streak.

I didn't have much sympathy for Dudley.  Dudley had taken every opportunity he could to torment Harry.  While I do not condone eye-for-eye behavior, I think boys need to stand up for themselves in bullying situations, and this was Fred and George's way of helping Harry stand up for himself and for all wizards.

It wasn't fair to use sweets to bait Dudley, but it was brilliant.  They knew it would work, thus their point, "don't mess with wizards" was received loud and clear.


6. What do you think happened after Harry left?

Dorothy:
After Harry left, the Petunia fretted over Dudley.  Vernon cursed the wizards and his resolve was strengthened that wizards are no good.  Dudley gasped for air, the charm wore off and the Dursleys pretended like nothing happened.

7. Any other questions?

Dorothy:
This question doesn't have grounding in the chapter, but I have often wondered about Vernon and how he works Wizards into his mental schema.  Petunia knows, and I think she accepts that there is a magical world in her heart, even though she pretends to brush it aside.

She must have told Vernon about Lily.  Vernon seems to want to beat the magic out of Harry, or pretend it doesn't exist, yet he knows that Harry is different and Vernon seems to be afraid of Wizards and everything they represent.

He wants to ignore magic, but it is all around him when Harry is home.  How does Vernon make sense of magic and work it into his mental schema?