Due to the fact J.K. Rowling books span over such a long
period of time characters that are first seen in The Sorcerer's Stone are bound to have developed and change by The Deathly Hallows. Even characters that are seen (currently)
with in one book can have vast growth to where they can be unrecognizable by
the end. Normally when I think of the word development,
I tend to attach positive connations to it.
This is not always the case, and Rowling remind reads of this through
the introduction of everyone’s favorite Professor, Dolores Jane Umbridge.
Umbridge
is first seen on the “right hand side” of Fudge in Harry hearing at the Ministry
of Magic in The Order Of the Phoenix.
Before she even spoke Harry’s impression of her was that she looked like a “large,
pale toad…with a neck like Uncle Vernon,” and anything that can compare with Uncle Vernon
cannot be good (118). The first title
that she is recognized here is Undersecretary to the Minister, but it would not
stay this way for long. The fact that
she is on the right hand of Fudge suggest that she had some power and influence
in the Ministry and to Fudge.
The
next time that lovely Dolores is seen is at the Hogwarts start of the term
feast. She is the new Defense Against
the Dark Art Processor. She is moving up
the latter to say. For now Umbridge is
basically a spy at Hogwarts for the Ministry and in particular Fudge. At this point in time her true horrid pink
colors are seen. After giving Harry a
week of detentions Umbridge can no longer be seen as this innocent fake smiling
women she attempt to portray. She is
pure evil. Making students right in
their own blood! As Umbridge sees the
power that she has over the student which makes her more power hungry. Umbridge develops into the monster that feeds
off of control that she exerts over others.
In her development, as Professor Mcgonagall
puts it fall back to “medieval methods.” While Umbridge character grow and move
forward to new and great terrible things she is preventing/ stunting other
growth and development. Her student are
not learning how to defend themselves.
Throughout
The Order Of the Phoenix Umbrige
gains power becoming High Inquisitor and
eventually at one point Headmistress.
She set ridiculous decrees and only care about gaining more power. Umbrige while is a developing character is
not developing into anything good.
Rowling shows that negative development is possible. The theme which surrounds this negative
development is power. Rowling shows her audience
that power can be dangerous. Maybe that
is why Dumbledore chose just to say at Hogwarts and did not accept the position
of Minister of Magic for he would have so much power and influence. Power can corrupt and destroy. Another quick example of this is Percy Wesley. The ambition to be on top made him deny his
family and disregarded the things that people should hold most dear. Power can blind. It prevented Umbridge from seeing her fast
downfall .
- Katie Midkiff
I think you have made an awesome point here! I never even thought of discussing a negative development in a character (I wrote about how Ron matures from wanting fame and power to learning that his friends are more important). Dolores Umbridge is truly a terrifying character not only because of her disgustingly “sweet” demeanor, but because she just gets worse and worse throughout her part in the series. Her never-ending hunt for power and control make her a character that totally stands apart from Dumbledore, making a clear separation of good and evil in book 5. Rowling certainly got her point across by showing what power can do to a person.
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