Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Order of the Phoenix/Chapter 11
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Chapter 11 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The Sorting Hat's New Song
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[edit] Synopsis
As Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Neville, and Luna ride toward the castle, Harry cannot keep his mind off the disturbing black horse creatures. Soon, though, the conversation turns toward Hagrid’s mysterious absence. Harry, Ron, and Hermione scan the Great Hall upon entering, but they are unable to find him. They settle—albeit uneasily—for the conclusion that he has not yet returned from his Order of the Phoenix mission.
Hermione notices a short, curly-haired woman with a "pallid, toadlike face and a pair of prominent, pouchy eyes" sitting at the staff table. Harry is immediately seized by recognition: it is Dolores Umbridge, the particularly nasty questioner from his trial with the Wizengamot. Before they can discuss this further, the first years arrive, and Professor McGonagall brings out the Sorting Hat.
This time, however, the Sorting Hat sings a different type of song. It tells the story of the four Hogwarts founders (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin) and their friendship. When Hogwarts was new, the school was unified because each founder hand-picked students for his or her House. Slytherin, however, wanted to extend his pure-blood selection criteria throughout the school. This caused dissent, and Slytherin eventually left Hogwarts. From then on, the Sorting Hat sings, the Houses have been divided. The Hat then warns that the school is "in danger from external, deadly foes," and that the they should become united from within. Hermione wonders aloud if the Hat has ever given warnings like that before, and Nearly Headless Nick tells her that this is not the first warning the Sorting Hat has delivered.
Professor Dumbledore delivers his customary speech and introduces Dolores Umbridge as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Surprisingly, she rises to give her own speech. Addressing the students as if they are young children, she speaks in a mind-numbingly dull fashion. Hermione, Dumbledore, and a few other teachers are the only ones able to remain attentive. Umbridge finally finishes, and Harry asks Hermione why she was so interested in what sounded like a load of waffle. Hermione says that in amongst the waffle was information that the Ministry is looking to meddle with Hogwarts. Dumbledore finishes his announcements, and the students are dismissed. Hermione reminds Ron that they have to lead the first-year students to the Common room. Harry, unencumbered by first-years, takes a short-cut and, with help from Neville who for once will be able to remember the password ("Mimbulus Mimbletonia"), is in his dormitory before Ron even gets to the Common room.
In the dormitory, Harry is greeted by another surprise: Seamus’ mother was reluctant to allow him to return to Hogwarts because of Harry and Dumbledore. She believes the Daily Prophet's claims that Lord Voldemort’s return is a lie. Seamus and Harry begin arguing. Neville sides with Harry, and Dean tries to remain neutral. Ron appears and threatens to use his Prefect power, thus ending the disagreement. As they climb silently into bed, Harry reflects. He has received strange looks all day, and he is certain that few believe him. He wonders how long he will have to endure the stares and comments, then thinks, "They’ll know we’re right in the end."
[edit] Analysis
Although this chapter contributes little to the overall plot, it highlights several main themes in the series: friendship and loyalty. The Sorting Hat's new song warns about a gathering storm, though to date Voldemort's activities have remained relatively unnoticed, making claims that he has returned easy to ignore. The song also highlights strength through unity. This is shown throughout the series by Harry's relationship with his friends and the strength he derives from them, although this is tested as more people doubt Harry's assertion that Voldemort is alive. The Sorting Hat issues a plea for the four Hogwarts Houses, who have maintained (mostly) friendly rivalries, to unite under a single cause.
Dumbledore has also foreseen the need for greater unity among all wizards, locally and internationally, which is why he supported reviving the Triwizard Tournament, believing that the friendships and alliances that were forged with the other schools (Durmstrang and Beauxbatons) would be crucial in the future. Ironically, the Hogwarts Houses are more divided than ever, as students take sides over Harry's claims regarding Voldemort.
Professor Umbridge's disrespectful display towards the other teachers, as shown by her arrogant interruption, and to the students through her condescending attitude, hints at an underlying tyrannical nature. That nature was glimpsed during Harry's trial when she was particularly partial to convicting Harry. That she was then appointed by Cornelius Fudge to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, even given that Dumbledore was apparently unable to hire a teacher on his own, indicates the Ministry has a hidden agenda. Whether or not this is tied to Voldemort is unknown yet, but either way, it does not bode well for Harry or for Hogwarts.
This chapter marks one of only two times that Harry ever hears the Sorting Hats sing. At every other Sorting throughout the series, there is something that prevents him from being present for the new song.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Why was Dolores Umbridge selected as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher? Who chose her?
- Why don't Seamus and his mother believe Harry and Dumbledore?
[edit] Further Study
- How might the Sorting Hat detect danger?
- What can be guessed about Dolores Umbridge's character based on her appearance and speech?
- Why doesn't Harry simply tell Seamus and others what happened in the graveyard?
[edit] Greater Picture
Dumbledore tolerating Umbridge's interruption and her speech criticizing his leadership indicates a serious shift in the balance of power at Hogwarts. Dumbledore's authority as Headmaster and his political clout within the Ministry have diminished. Umbridge and her Ministry agenda are being forced on Dumbledore, and he is unable to prevent this interference at Hogwarts. This foreshadows Umbridge's rising empowerment at the expense of Dumbledore's authority and Hogwarts' welfare as a whole. One does rather wonder about Dumbledore's apparent equanimity at how his powers within the school are being eroded. Is he that certain that Voldemort will show himself, and that he will be vindicated, soon enough that he will be able to complete his work?
Seamus Finnigan's behavior represents the animosity and disbelief of many students, even those in Gryffindor, that Harry will endure in the coming year. This attitude is largely inspired by the attacks on Harry that appear in the Daily Prophet, and will cause many friends to turn against him and also one another. Ron and Hermione always believe in and remain loyal to Harry, but curiously Neville, who is becoming increasingly important to the plot, also never loses faith in him. Interestingly also, Luna Lovegood, strange as she may now seem, will develop into someone with a remarkably uncluttered view of the world, and will also remain true to Harry.
Perhaps most interestingly, among those who are wavering in their loyalty, many will come to Harry's side purely because of the actions of Umbridge as she tries to further discredit Harry and Dumbledore. A large part of her actions will stem from the bizarre belief that Dumbledore, who we already know had been offered the position of Minister of Magic and turned it down, nonetheless is building a private army to attempt to take over the Ministry by force. This belief, originally voiced by Fudge, will result in the Defence Against the Dark Arts course being diluted to the point of uselessness. It is entirely possible that the sole reason for the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts is an attempt to prevent formation of this nonexistent private army, by effectively banning the teaching of spells that could be used against the Ministry. In this case, Umbridge's further actions, having herself appointed Hogwarts High Inquisitor and arranging for the promulgation of Educational Decrees to increase her own power, might be termed private enterprise. In any event, it is largely disgust with Umbridge's teaching that proves the inspiration for Harry's self-defence instruction group, which will be called Dumbledore's Army, in a sarcastic nod to the Ministry belief.
Harry is correct that it is only a matter of time before everyone knows he and Dumbledore are right. For now, Voldemort remains hidden, creating doubt and confusion while he builds his power base and slowly infiltrates key Wizarding institutions. Once his power is secure, we can assume he will reveal his presence. Until then, Harry must bear many schoolmates' doubts and disdain.
