[HPforGrownups] Chapter Discussion: Goblet of Fire Ch. 8: The Quidditch World Cup

[Liz Clark]

No: HPFGUIDX 191784

Questions:

1. Why would Ron say 'So that's a house-elf? Weird things, aren't they?' 
Would he not have come across one before now? And if not, as a member of an 
old wizarding family he would know all about them and their belief in their 
subservience to wizards.

Liz:
The Weasleys are an old pure blood family, yes, but they strike me very much 
as commoners. I do not think they want to be served and would probably feel 
uncomfortable with a creature like a House-elf. Therefore, I don't think Ron 
would have ever seen one, remember the mark of a good house elf is not to be 
seen, so if he had visited other families, he shouldn't have seen one. Why 
he doesn't know about them? I think that is down to his family, Molly would 
never tolerate being served upon and would IMO therefore not see the need to 
educate her son in them, unless he asked, of course.

2. What do you think was/were the purpose/s of this chapter? So much of it 
is merely an account of a sports fixture. Was there anything in this chapter 
that you thought would be important later on?

Liz:
I thought meeting another house-elf was important, as Dobby had been 
important in CoS. Can't really see the point in the chapter apart from that, 
although a Quidditch match description would entertain a lot of younger 
readers.

3. Why did Mr Weasley instruct Harry and Ron to put their fingers in their 
ears to resist the lure of the veelas when the text suggests that it was 
their dancing that enthralls the watching males? No mention was made of 
their singing or of their making music.

Liz:
Hmm. I suspect that Arthur had experience of Veela's and found this method 
worked for him, perhaps because his eyesight wasn't as good as others.

4. Do you think Severus would be sensitive to the veelas' charms? Would 
Dumbledore?

Liz:
Severus affected? No, he had too much control over his mind and emotions. 
Dumbledore, however, seemed more affected by his emotions and I think he 
would be affected, although I feel he would have the ability to bring 
himself back to normal.

Any other questions for discussion?
Liz:
House-elves are usually not seen. Do you think other people thought it 
unusual that Winky was out in public? Did this show a change in Crouch's 
character?