In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has been assigned to Hogwarts school by the Ministry of Magic. This is a woman who absolutely believes in the superiority of the government. She absolutely trusts in the bureaucracy, and considers herself superior because she is a part of it. She’s all about the “Ministry approved curriculum.” She believes that school is about passing exams, and that learning magical theory, rather than practical defense, is just fine because no harm can come to anyone in the classroom (written long before the Virginia Tech massacre).
Why would a Ministry official work to ensure that students are not only disarmed in class, but are also prevented from learning practical defense?
A quote from the book for you:
‘So
we’re being prevented from learning Defence Against the Dark Arts
because Fudge (the Minister of Magic) is scared we’ll use spells against the Ministry?’ said
Hermione, looking furious.
Read that again. Think about it.
My son was 9 years old when he and I read this book together. He got it.
Do you?
Jun 17, 2009 @ 15:15:49
Heh, I got it, Nicki. A long time ago.Fear the Government that fears your guns.
Jun 17, 2009 @ 18:30:36
Sadly, little by little, we are becoming the Nanny states of America. Since JK Rowling knows that philosophy all too well, it is not surprising that she was clever enough to slip in meaningful passages that go far deeper than what the words would suggest.I agree with PrimEvil, but I think it even goes beyond our guns…Fear the government that fears its own people and their ability to make their own decisions…period.
Jun 19, 2009 @ 23:15:00
I sure do…..They will cme after us peacemeal….seeking to divide and intimidate. What may prove the most brutal of shocks is when the first of them stops a shotgun slug at point blank range, well…slows it down a tad anyways. Then its game on!