I enjoyed your observations about the lack of child safety social standards in wizarding society -- certainly when we read in book 1 that Harry thought Dumbledore was giving him a chance to face Voldemort on his own at the age of 11 out of some kind of sense of fair play, we were given fair warning that the hugely inappropriate endangerment of children would be par for the course in this series
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Another fascinating essay...librasmileOctober 28 2015, 06:32:22 UTC
...I can always rely on you to write something good :^) thoughtful. It's after 2 am where I am so I'm just going to record random thoughts that may or may not be coherent.
1. Yes I agree, nothing happened because no one cared. But the relevant question is WHY didn't anyone care?
2. You've answered that partly by saying that wizard children aren't as easily seriously injured and that everyone is walking around armed anyway. Also, that they are operating on a pre-Industrial mindset.
3. I think a more precise explanation is that everything operates on the basis of POWER. Although the official ethos is one thing - we're all magical beings together so we're all equal, tra-la-la, the reality is might makes right. Say what you want about Voldemort, but when it came to how wizard society should be run he was ruthlessly honest - which was probably part of his appeal.
-- In my fanon, magic was something that was available to everyone at the dawn of humanity. Some people could wield it individually with the help of natural elements (like the wizards who use wands today). Some did it through group participation in rituals like the covens. At some point, however, this universal access to magic disappeared. Whether that disappearance was natural or man made, it happened. At the same type, the culture changed to embrace religions that forbade its use and campaigned to stamp it out. I can't imagine that kind of, well, what amounts to a genocide (the Cathars anyone?) had a salutary effect on the wizard community's collective psyche. Callousness and brutality would be a natural by product.
Sirius and the Blacks
anonymous
April 8 2016, 13:53:09 UTC
I have my theory why Sirius wasn't punished. The most common explanation in fanfics is Dumbledore's favouritism of Gryffindors. But leave that alone for Snape-fangirls, Dumbledore-bashers
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RE: Sirius and the Blacks
anonymous
August 22 2016, 03:35:10 UTC
With respect, you are forgetting that this incident took place the same year that Sirius ran away from home and was ceremoniously disowned by his family. I really can't imagine them rushing in to shield Sirius and cover up his mess a la the Malfoys. And I would like to ask how do we know Sirius wasn't punished? Other then James saving Snape and Snape being sworn to secrecy with regards to Remus we know nothing about the aftermath of this whole affair.
RE: Sirius and the Blacks
anonymous
August 22 2016, 15:13:00 UTC
With respect, you are forgetting that this incident took place the same year that Sirius ran away from home and was ceremoniously disowned by his family. I really can't imagine them rushing in to shield Sirius and cover up his mess a la the Malfoys. And I would like to ask how do we know Sirius wasn't punished? Other then James saving Snape and Snape being sworn to secrecy with regards to Remus we know nothing about the aftermath of this whole affair.
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1. Yes I agree, nothing happened because no one cared. But the relevant question is WHY didn't anyone care?
2. You've answered that partly by saying that wizard children aren't as easily seriously injured and that everyone is walking around armed anyway. Also, that they are operating on a pre-Industrial mindset.
3. I think a more precise explanation is that everything operates on the basis of POWER. Although the official ethos is one thing - we're all magical beings together so we're all equal, tra-la-la, the reality is might makes right. Say what you want about Voldemort, but when it came to how wizard society should be run he was ruthlessly honest - which was probably part of his appeal.
To be continued...
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-- In my fanon, magic was something that was available to everyone at the dawn of humanity. Some people could wield it individually with the help of natural elements (like the wizards who use wands today). Some did it through group participation in rituals like the covens. At some point, however, this universal access to magic disappeared. Whether that disappearance was natural or man made, it happened. At the same type, the culture changed to embrace religions that forbade its use and campaigned to stamp it out. I can't imagine that kind of, well, what amounts to a genocide (the Cathars anyone?) had a salutary effect on the wizard community's collective psyche. Callousness and brutality would be a natural by product.
Okay enough of that. I gotta get me some sleep...
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