Chapter Discussion: Chapter Sixteen, Goblet of Fire: The Goblet of Fire

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 192250



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Brad" <bradleystrickland at ...> wrote:
>
> I have real problems with the "unbreakable magical contract." In our world, if someone signed your name to a contract to buy, let's say, an automobile, without your knowledge,that contract would not be in force. This is an exact analogue. It's fraud, not a valid contract, and is pretty obviously a plot device. This is one of the reasons why GoF is my least favorite of the books.
> 
> Brad
>

Pippin:
I see Bart has already made the point that proving identity fraud isn't always so easy. And even in our world, the law hasn't always been as uniform or  enlightened as you think. I can report from personal experience that back  the 1990's when our story is set, the victim of identity fraud was  considered to be the party deceived by the contract, not the poor schnook (me, in this case) whose identity had been used. 

When a disgruntled relative took out a loan in my name and bought herself a Jacuzzi,  there was no law to stop the loan company from smearing my credit report and trying to intimidate me into paying the debt.

But in the story, the fraud is something of a red herring. It allows JKR to distract us from the more fundamental issue that in our world, a contract with a minor wouldn't be enforceable or could be cancelled by the parent or guardian. 

The laws and customs of the wizarding world aren't exactly a model of enlightenment when it comes to protecting children, but it isn't time for Harry  to notice that as yet. 

Pippin