Harry Potter The Danger Of Power Essay
Power is defined as the ability to act or produce an effect. People in positions of power have the ability to control the world. Power and control go hand in hand. You can not control someone without having power over them, and you can not have power unless you are able to control people. JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix profuse characterization consumes the story with the danger of power and how much is too much. In the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, we are introduced to a new character, Dolores Umbridge. When Dolores becomes headmistress of Hogwarts, she begins to wield her power in cruel and abusive ways. She started taking away all the students rights, threatening them with expulsion or persecution for breaking her orders. “BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS All student organizations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded. An organization, society, team,
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group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.” (17.4) Umbridge knew the only way to keep her power was to completely dehumanize all those around her. She used torture and threats to keep everyone under her power.
Professor McGonagall is a very respected teacher at Hogwarts, and when challenging Dolores’ ways, even she becomes a target, “How you took the case to Dumbledore, who insisted that the team be allowed to play?
Well, now, I couldn't have that. I contacted the Minister at once, and he quite agreed with me that the High Inquisitor has to have the power to strip pupils of privileges, or she – that is to say, I – would have less authority than common teachers!” (19.141) Umbridge begins to wield her power to her equals because she knows she can get away with it, she knows how much power she has. When power becomes malicious and evil, it has gone too far. Umbridge's power has become too strong she doesn't even know what to do with it, so she takes advantage of it and hurts everyone around her.
Power can be dangerous. It can affect everyone in a society in a positive or negative way. You can not gain power without having the ability to control and weaken a group of people. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix shows how power can grow to become too
much.
group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.” (17.4) Umbridge knew the only way to keep her power was to completely dehumanize all those around her. She used torture and threats to keep everyone under her power.
Professor McGonagall is a very respected teacher at Hogwarts, and when challenging Dolores’ ways, even she becomes a target, “How you took the case to Dumbledore, who insisted that the team be allowed to play?
Well, now, I couldn't have that. I contacted the Minister at once, and he quite agreed with me that the High Inquisitor has to have the power to strip pupils of privileges, or she – that is to say, I – would have less authority than common teachers!” (19.141) Umbridge begins to wield her power to her equals because she knows she can get away with it, she knows how much power she has. When power becomes malicious and evil, it has gone too far. Umbridge's power has become too strong she doesn't even know what to do with it, so she takes advantage of it and hurts everyone around her.
Power can be dangerous. It can affect everyone in a society in a positive or negative way. You can not gain power without having the ability to control and weaken a group of people. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix shows how power can grow to become too
much.