PoA 4 :: The political rant jar.

[pauraque_bk]

PoA 4: The Leaky Cauldron

Harry ate breakfast each morning in the Leaky Cauldron, where he liked watching the other guests: funny little witches from the country, up for a day's shopping; venerable-looking wizards arguing over the latest article in Transfiguration Today; wild-looking warlocks, raucous dwarfs and, once, what looked suspiciously like a hag, who ordered a plate of raw liver from behind a thick woollen balaclava. (42)

I think it was neotoma who had a theory on what warlocks are, exactly, though I can't recall it. They're named in the same clause with non-humans such as dwarfs and hags, so perhaps they're considered subhuman as well. Harry doesn't know it, but even now, people like Umbridge are working to stop this kind of inter-species mixing.

'it's a lunascope, old boy -- no more messing around with moon charts, see?' (42)

Non-human magic users, followed closely by a reference to moon charts -- in re-reading, we think immediately of Remus. This is the density of foreshadowing that makes me love this book.

Ron buckled as something huge and orange came soaring from the top of the highest cage, landed on his head and then propelled itself, spitting madly, at Scabbers. (49)

Completely unprovoked. Though it doesn't give pause on first reading, it's very clear here that Crookshanks wants *Scabbers* -- not the "glossy rats" (49) right next to him on the counter.

The other rats stop what they're doing and come over for a better look at him -- they're curious, but not afraid. Peter has a special connection and ability to communicate with normal rats (GoF).

'That reminds me, you forgot your Rat Tonic,' said Hermione[...] (50)
The bottle of Rat Tonic was lying under the table they had sat at earlier. (54)

Ron keeps leaving Scabbers's medicine behind, and JKR keeps pointing it out. She doesn't want us to forget about Scabbers and his "wobegone" (49) physical state.

'The Ministry's providing a couple of cars,' said Mr Weasley.
Everyone looked up at him. (52)

As discussed in Chapter 3, vehicles are controlled by the government, and only to be used in special cases. Here, Fudge is worried for Harry's safety.

Again, it's going into the Muggle world unprotected that's seen as dangerous. Fudge had no problem leaving Harry alone for two weeks as long as he stayed in Diagon Alley (42).

[...]I don't care what Fudge keeps telling the Daily Prophet, we're no nearer catching Black than inventing self-spelling wands. (53)

An idiomatic cliche, I think, not a reference to the real state of magical technology. I'm not even sure what a "self-spelling wand" would be.

Arthur is very reasonable in his argument for warning Harry that he's in danger; Molly presents Dumbledore's stated viewpoint (OotP) that Harry is young and shouldn't be burdened with unnecessary responsibility if the adults can keep it off his shoulders, because he's "happy not knowing" (53). Arthur is rational, Molly is emotional. This is very het-archetypal, as is the image of Harry (the child) sneaking around to listen to his parent-figures arguing over him. It's a commonplace image, except that Arthur and Molly are not really his parents.

*

Last night, I donated to the Kerry campaign. This is the first time I've given money to a political cause, and really, the first time I've even been tempted to. I've read a lot of people recently expressing dismay and fear at various actions and policies of the Bush administration, and if you're one of them, I urge you to take similar action. The Bush campaign is extremely wealthy, but giving Kerry a shot at the win is going to take financial help from his supporters.

Here's an idea: Every time you feel like getting on LJ and ranting about how angry you are, how afraid you are, how little the Bush administration shares your values -- set aside a certain sum of money or amount of time to contribute to a cause you *do* support. Like a swear jar, only it'd be a rant jar. It would do a lot more good, and probably make you feel better, too.

Comments

[maidenjedi]

I like the idea of a "rant jar." I'd probably do a lot more good that way.

So, the inevitable question - do you really think John Kerry should be president, or decide to support him simply because he isn't Bush (in other words, if Kerry were Lieberman or Gephardt or any of the others, would you still be donating to him?). You're the only person I trust to answer this question honestly and without vitriol.

[pauraque]

No, I wouldn't donate to just anybody on the Democratic ticket (I'm not even registered as a Democrat) -- I would have to read about their platform, as I did with Kerry. I don't agree with Kerry on everything, as you know, and even on some points where I agree with his general stance, his particular plans give me pause... I worry about the details of his promises on cutting the deficit and ensuring Iraqi sovereignty.

However, I haven't heard plans on those issues from the Bush side that make me feel any more secure, and there are certain important areas where I think Kerry would do a very good job at making changes I agree with, such as civil liberties, queer rights, and the environment.

Is Kerry my *ideal* President? No. But certain key things about him and his platform have impressed me, and he's someone I could see supporting against opponents other than Bush. So, no, it isn't all about Bush, for me.

[maidenjedi]

Thank you. That's pretty much what I figured. And, like I knew you would, you answered the question rationally and it makes sense.

It's more or less the reasoning I had voting for / donating $ to Bush in 2000. There really wasn't a snowball's chance in hell that I would vote for Al Gore, but I was having a hard time choosing Bush over McCain. It took a lot of reading up on the issues and Bush's positions and McCain's voting record. I'm still not entirely sure Bush was the way the Republican party should have gone, though I'm absolutely positive that Bush was the way to go over Gore.

I kind of hate that I had to do that. And I hate that in some ways, I'm doing it again with this election. I want to be incomprehensibly excited about a presidential candidate. I envied the Deaniacs - I still do. I actually *was* that excited about a local sheriff candidate, but he lost (miserably) to a guy I can't stand on a personal level (I've met him, he's slime). One of my bosses was telling me the other day that the only winning candidate he ever voted *for* was Reagan, in '80 and in '84 - every other election was about voting *against* someone (he also voted *for* McGovern, and no, I have no idea how that works, exactly).

Politics breaks my heart.

[pauraque]

John McCain is someone I respect. Depending on whom he was running against, I could see supporting him.

The 2000 election was rough. In a way, it's a disgrace to both candidates that neither could pull ahead of the other -- they were both so unexciting to the voters that it wouldn't really have taken much!

[meridym.livejournal.com]

As a regular contributor to the Kerry campaign, I salute you, sir! Kerry has quite a nice warchest these days, but we need to keep sending him all we can. xo

[pauraque]

*high-fives* The world needs more people willing to act positively based on their beliefs, rather than just commenting negatively on those who disagree with them.

[la-enamorada.livejournal.com]

I donated both money and time to the Dean campaign months long before he was the candidate of the moment. It wasn't about getting the nomination in the beginning - there wasn't even real hope of that at the time. I just thought I should support a candidate I could actually feel enthusiasm about. I fully expected that we'd lose and I'd end up driving around with a Kerry 2004 bumper sticker.

And then there was that amazing moment when it looked like it might actually happen for Dean. Then the horrific crash-and-burn. I've not quite recovered. And I'm afraid it's left me more than a little bitter about the Kerry candidacy.

But you are correct. I need to get over it. Can't defeat the Bush hegemony with just lukewarm support for the opposition. Time to GET enthused about the guy who has the best shot at taking Dubya down. Time to remember the 95% of Kerry that I like, and try to forget about the rest for now. Time for me and other Deaniacs to throw our time and money where it counts instead of just picking up our marbles and going home.

Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their party, as it were.

Thanks for the dose of perspective.

[pauraque]

I was a bit of an outside observer during the primaries (I'm registered as an independent, so I couldn't vote) so I appreciate your sharing your experience. It seemed to me that Dean would have been the better strategic choice for the Democrats -- though he stood that risk of crashing and burning, as you say, he also could have excited the younger vote in a way that will prove difficult for Kerry.

I think the splintering you describe is often what prevents Democratic candidates from doing well. Republican voters seem better at pulling together and supporting the candidate with the best chance, even if they aren't their first choice. Younger voters, particularly (who often vote liberal) sometimes suffer from an excess of idealism that can turn to stubbornness -- "If I can't get who I really want, screw it." I was 18 in the 2000 election, I couldn't get excited about either candidate, and I voted for Nader. I don't live in Florida, but I did learn a lesson about political pragmatism.

[maidenjedi]

Did you know that historically the Republican party has never won when it's split?

Teddy Roosevelt was a perfect example. When he ran on a progressive platform and eventually split from the party, he lost, and so did the Republicans - to Woodrow Wilson.

I wonder if the same holds true for the Democratic party....my history prof. hasn't said, and all the Dems we've covered have won because of abyssmal Republican presidencies. Hmm.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hannelore/]

I like the idea of a rant jar quite a lot. A good reminder, too.

---

Maybe self-spelling wands are wands that can do magic all on their own? Sentient wands. Eek!

I confess I've always been waiting on the explanation of Crookshanks. While Hermione picking him up out of all the other smart, talented creatures in the shop makes sense (in a SPEW-y fashion of her penchant for the underdog), I'm hoping there's more to Crookshanks then just an ability to scent out sneaks.

[pauraque]

Maybe self-spelling wands are wands that can do magic all on their own? Sentient wands. Eek!

Yipes! Sounds like a novel by the wizarding equivalent of Stephen King.

And yes, Crookshanks is a bit of a loose end in an otherwise lean plot. We don't need him to tell us there's something up with Scabbers -- the Sneakoscope serves that purpose. I suspect he'll have more to do in future books.

[muridae-x.livejournal.com]

I'd certainly like to see more of Crookshanks in a starring role. There are, after all, those hints that he might be part Kneazle, so there's definitely more to him than meets the eye. Although the definition of Kneazle in Fantastic Beasts pretty much reinforces his feline sneakoscope role:

"The Kneazle was originally bred in Britain, though it is now exported worldwide. A small cat-like creature with flecked, speckled or spotted fur, outsize ears and a tail like a lion's, the Kneazle is intelligent, independent and occasionally aggressive, though if it takes a liking to a witch or wizard, it makes an excellent pet. The Kneazle has an uncanny ability to detect unsavoury or suspicious characters and can be relied upon to guide its owner safely home if they are lost. Kneazles have up to eight kittens in a litter and can interbreed with cats. Licenses are required for ownership as (like Crups and Fwoopers) Kneazles are sufficiently unusual in appearance to attract Muggle interest."

In other words, he'd have been really useful to have along in that maze during the Third Task of GoF. And there are still two books in which he might get to play pathfinder.

But if there really is no more to his contribution than we've already seen, I'd suggest that his importance is not so much that he reinforces the opinion of the Sneakoscope that Scabbers is untrustworthy, but that he quite clearly trusts Sirius, when everyone else is completely deceived by the evidence against him.

(Note to self: must get Crookshanks icon now that there are publicity shots of him floating around the internet.)

[pauraque]

I'd suggest that his importance is not so much that he reinforces the opinion of the Sneakoscope that Scabbers is untrustworthy, but that he quite clearly trusts Sirius, when everyone else is completely deceived by the evidence against him.

Ah, good point, I'd forgotten about this.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

I think 'warlock' is a class signifer more than a different species. One of Dumbledore's titles is 'Chief Warlock' so it must be a respectable term somehow -- however, 'warlock' gets used whenever there is a bit of raucous behavior involved so maybe it's the Wizarding world equivalent of 'bloke' as opposed to the more gentlemanly 'wizard'.

[pauraque]

Ah, that was it. Makes sense to me. There are some raucous warlocks in GoF too, I think.

[sedesdraconis.livejournal.com]

Albus Dumbledore, Chief Bloke :)

[idlerat.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for contributing to the Kerry campaign!

And for mentioning the glossy rats, though I would like to have heard about their tricks... (hm, suppose I could *open* one of my *two copies* of the book...)

And rants? Since when does everything on LJ have to be "effective"?

[pauraque]

Your wish is my command:

[...]and, on the counter, a vast cage of sleek black rats which were playing some sort of skipping game using their long bald tails. (48)

'Now, if you were looking for something a bit more hard-wearing, you might like one of these...'
She indicated the black rats, who promptly started skipping again. Ron muttered, 'Show-offs.' (49)

And rants? Since when does everything on LJ have to be "effective"?

Well, you could always put a dollar in the jar and then post the rant anyway, if you're inclined in that direction. :)

[idlerat.livejournal.com]

They really are *such* show-offs. But it's a good thing no one buys them, since they obviously enjoy each other's company the best.

Well, you could always put a dollar in the jar and then post the rant anyway, if you're inclined in that direction.

I've given 100 already, and more to come, so I've got a lot of rant credits I'd say! :)

[exbentley]

My poitn of debate in that chapter is that Ron walks out without paying for his medicine, and Hermione pays for it, and this is the first time we see Ron not take this as an insult to his poorness - he doesn't kick up a stink or even, as far as we see, ask Hermione to pay him back.

[pauraque]

I didn't notice that, but I think you're right. Good eye. It could be that Ron is too upset over nearly losing Scabbers to realize what Hermione'd done.

[muridae-x.livejournal.com]

Fudge had no problem leaving Harry alone for two weeks as long as he stayed in Diagon Alley.

Ah, but did he leave him completely alone? Or did he have some of the inhabitants of Diagon Alley keeping watch over Harry for him?

Florean Fortescue seems very knowledgable about witch-burnings and the like for someone who's supposedly just an ice-cream vendor. Plus he seems overly eager to ply Harry with free ice-cream, thereby encouraging him to stick around where he can keep an eye on him. Could he be a retired auror or some such?

[pauraque]

Another good point! Fudge isn't quite the dullard he appears to be... he's pretty good with Harry in these chapters, actually -- putting him at ease, protecting him without making it obvious. Add "good with kids" to the list of Fudge's virtues.

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely into the rant jar!
I like muridae_x's thoughts on Harry being watched over in Diagon Alley. I don't believe he was without secret watchers and it didn't sound as though anyone thought him being there alone was odd, they seemed to simply accept it.
I always thought the liver-eating hag might turn out to be something/one interesting - spy or Sirius in disguise or whatever - but nothing yet!!

[muridae-x.livejournal.com]

I like muridae_x's thoughts on Harry being watched over in Diagon Alley.

There's even some textual support for it. Sneaking back to chapter three for a minute...

"And you're to be back here before dark each night. Sure you'll understand. Tom will be keeping an eye on you for me."

So, that's the night watch. My Big Theory is that Florian Fortescue is the day shift. :-)

[chresimos.livejournal.com]

Wow, you people are all really alert to little details in the chapters! *loves*

Nice point about Crookshanks not noticing the other rats. JKR does so well with the little details...why does she leave such big plotholes? ;) Also, it is weird how Crookshanks has such a big role in PoA, and then pretty much disappears in the next two books.

Also: yet more indication for the public's loff of PoA.