Aberforth and His Goats, Aberforth Dumbledore's quirks and what we know |
 Jan 26 2008, 05:20 AM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher  Posts: 200 Joined: 6:31am January 6, 2008 Location: Fishing for Freshwater Plimpies  |
Aberforth, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore's brother, was a relatively mysterious character up until the seventh book. It is only through the seventh book that we learn of his past and the tragic death of his sister.
Yet what interests me most is his fondness for goats. Now, I'm sorry to bring this up, but it's just so absurd I'd like to clear it up. Is it a goat fetish or is it something far more innocent? Didn't Ron's aunt say something about Aberforth 'fiddling about with goats'? [I think it's fantastic that Jo incorporated something so odd into the books. It really captures the absurdity of certain aspects of the wizarding world. Oh, and feel free to use this topic to discuss anything Aberforth related.] -------------------- "It's lucky it's dark...I haven't blushed so much since Madame Pomfrey told me she liked my new earmuffs." -Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, ?-1996  Thanks theonlysong |
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Jan 26 2008, 05:38 AM
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Professional Diagon Alley Window Shopper Posts: 64 Joined: 2:49am August 6, 2007 Location: Netherlands |
I think he did't do anything wrong with goats. He really likes them. I believe that his sister did a but of uncontrolled magic in front of the goats while feeding them and Aberforth just took the blame.
-------------------- Knowledge is power
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Jan 26 2008, 07:23 AM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 200 Joined: 6:31am January 6, 2008 Location: Fishing for Freshwater Plimpies |
QUOTE(Rosco @ Jan 26 2008, 11:38 AM)  I think he did't do anything wrong with goats. He really likes them. I believe that his sister did a but of uncontrolled magic in front of the goats while feeding them and Aberforth just took the blame. Ah, that's certainly a much better explanation for it. But do we have any Canon evidence to support that? -------------------- "It's lucky it's dark...I haven't blushed so much since Madame Pomfrey told me she liked my new earmuffs." -Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, ?-1996 Thanks theonlysong |
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Jan 27 2008, 09:27 PM
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Buying a Half-Kneazle Posts: 512 Joined: 1:57am April 10, 2007 Location: Hangin with thestral girl at Hogsmeade |
QUOTE(Jeaneai @ Jan 26 2008, 11:23 PM) QUOTE(Rosco @ Jan 26 2008, 11:38 AM) I think he did't do anything wrong with goats. He really likes them. I believe that his sister did a but of uncontrolled magic in front of the goats while feeding them and Aberforth just took the blame. Ah, that's certainly a much better explanation for it. But do we have any Canon evidence to support that? yea thats a really good explination. -------------------- Thanks to theonlysong for the great avatar and sig!
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Jan 28 2008, 12:02 AM
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Terrortours Travel Agent Posts: 6,828 Joined: 12:34pm January 24, 2007 |
But what would count as 'inappropriate magic' to cast on a goat? Maybe something that would scare the Muggle neighbors?
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Jan 28 2008, 09:59 AM
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Buying a Half-Kneazle Posts: 515 Joined: 1:37pm September 7, 2007 Location: Azkaban, Practicing my Patronus  |
QUOTE(Jeaneai @ Jan 26 2008, 10:20 AM) Aberforth, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore's brother, was a relatively mysterious character up until the seventh book. It is only through the seventh book that we learn of his past and the tragic death of his sister. Yet what interests me most is his fondness for goats. Now, I'm sorry to bring this up, but it's just so absurd I'd like to clear it up. Is it a goat fetish or is it something far more innocent? Didn't Ron's aunt say something about Aberforth 'fiddling about with goats'? [I think it's fantastic that Jo incorporated something so odd into the books. It really captures the absurdity of certain aspects of the wizarding world. Oh, and feel free to use this topic to discuss anything Aberforth related.] Jeaneai, I am almost sickened to say that I believe Jo Rowling, in referring to goats, may be speaking specifically of "young goats", also known as kids. JKR is a champion to those who are unable to speak up for themselves. Child abuse is a major issue in the HP Series. This, I think, would include the sexual exploitation of children. Children need to know that if someone is touching them, or mistreating them, that they have permission to protect themselves; and to tell someone they trust - friend, or authority figure. However, I hope that I am way off base, and that I have misjudged Aberforth - for which I apologize. This post has been edited by Ex Libres Cogito: Jan 28 2008, 10:00 AM -------------------- In troubled times, it is often better to remember simple pleasures - family, virtue, and character - rather than to succumb to the woesome distractions of desire, defeat, and disillusionment. ELC
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Jan 28 2008, 10:06 AM
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Director of Farcical Aquatic Ceremonies  Posts: 8,971 Joined: 2:55pm January 28, 2005 Location: Classified, until such time as the Ministry sees fit to release it. |
QUOTE(Ex Libres Cogito @ Jan 28 2008, 09:59 AM) Jeaneai, I am almost sickened to say that I believe Jo Rowling, in referring to goats, may be speaking specifically of "young goats", also known as kids. JKR is a champion to those who are unable to speak up for themselves. Child abuse is a major issue in the HP Series. This, I think, would include the sexual exploitation of children. Children need to know that if someone is touching them, or mistreating them, that they have permission to protect themselves; and to tell someone they trust - friend, or authority figure. However, I hope that I am way off base, and that I have misjudged Aberforth - for which I apologize. ELC, that's an interesting take on things, but I disagree based on Aberforth's role in the last book. He's something of a hero, if a reluctant one. He helps the trio and we learn he's been helping Neville and the others. I just don't think JKR would make an issue like sexual abuse of kids and make it that obscure in the books and then make the "guilty party" a hero in the last book. The whole goat thing is just some irreverent humor on JKR's part, in my opinion. 
This post has been edited by Pleione: Jan 28 2008, 10:07 AM |
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Jan 28 2008, 10:36 AM
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Sundae-Nut-Chopper at Florean Fortescue's Posts: 921 Joined: 10:41pm March 2, 2007 Location: Entering the Ministry of Magic  |
This whole discussion gets a tad ‘adult’ with Aberforth and his goats, but I will just be as politically correct as possible. Aberforth does seem to have some fixation on them. To me it seems beyond just as pets. I find it interesting that both Aberforth and Albus seem not to have followed the average track by falling in love with a woman, marrying and having a family. Perhaps Rowling is making a statement about how the trauma of what happened to their sister might have caused both the boys to turn away from a heterosexual relationship with a woman. In Albus’ case he found another young man, perhaps in Aberforth’s case the trauma caused him to reject human relations in general and he turned his affection toward goats.
But even if this is not the case, Rowling does imply that Aberforth’s fondness for goats is considered odd, which does imply that it is beyond just the normal pet relationship otherwise why is it so odd? But one could look at it more innocently also and just observe how very eccentric Albus is. Perhaps Rowling is just playing with the idea that both brothers have this very eccentric streak. Aberforth is shown to have a very loyal temperament and in a way, the quality that Albus lacks. Albus is more of a pragmatist - he seems more motivated by the global issues than by his personal attachments to people. Personally though, I think there is a little bit of both angles in the Aberforth fixation. I agree that it is a bit of irreverent humor on Rowling’s part but may be also a comment on trauma. As is often the case, she hints at things without being explicit. This post has been edited by chloe squibbulus: Jan 28 2008, 10:38 AM -------------------- "I would like to say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! And now before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Everyone pick their favorite tune...and off we go!" Dumbledore; Sorcerer's Stone. |
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Jan 28 2008, 10:37 AM
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Having hand bitten off by the Monster Books Posts: 7,051 Joined: 2:09am August 2, 2007 Location: stalking emma watson... i dont want to talk about it. |
QUOTE(Pleione @ Jan 28 2008, 03:06 PM) QUOTE(Ex Libres Cogito @ Jan 28 2008, 09:59 AM) Jeaneai, I am almost sickened to say that I believe Jo Rowling, in referring to goats, may be speaking specifically of "young goats", also known as kids. JKR is a champion to those who are unable to speak up for themselves. Child abuse is a major issue in the HP Series. This, I think, would include the sexual exploitation of children. Children need to know that if someone is touching them, or mistreating them, that they have permission to protect themselves; and to tell someone they trust - friend, or authority figure. However, I hope that I am way off base, and that I have misjudged Aberforth - for which I apologize. ELC, that's an interesting take on things, but I disagree based on Aberforth's role in the last book. He's something of a hero, if a reluctant one. He helps the trio and we learn he's been helping Neville and the others. I just don't think JKR would make an issue like sexual abuse of kids and make it that obscure in the books and then make the "guilty party" a hero in the last book. The whole goat thing is just some irreverent humor on JKR's part, in my opinion. I agree with you Pleione. I dont think JKR would be so enigmatic about child abuse. Especially when you look at the case of Alberforths sister (whos name escapes me...), there is obviously some real foul play a foot with her and JKR is quite plain in making us aware of it. Though cleverly and quite rightly, she doesnt completely spell it out. Whatever happed between Albeforth and his goats, in my opinion, is something to be laughed at, not disgusted by. Its a British thing to do. Funnily enough it reminds me of a similar situation in 'the Vicar of Dibly'. Now, i dont know how many people outside of the UK are aware of this programme so i will post a clip up later on. One of the characters is a farmer (by sheer coincidence it is the same actor who play Barty Crouch Jnr in GOF) who has, what could be called an 'unhealthy' relationship with his cows. This post has been edited by ByRichard: Jan 28 2008, 10:43 AM -------------------- Protest is when I say this does not please me. Resistance is when I ensure what does not please me occurs no more |
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Jan 28 2008, 10:41 AM
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Personal Secretary to The Minister of Magic  Posts: 9,192 Joined: 4:57am January 28, 2005 Location: near Muggleswick, UK |
QUOTE(Jeaneai @ Jan 26 2008, 12:23 PM) QUOTE(Rosco @ Jan 26 2008, 11:38 AM) I think he did't do anything wrong with goats. He really likes them. I believe that his sister did a but of uncontrolled magic in front of the goats while feeding them and Aberforth just took the blame. Ah, that's certainly a much better explanation for it. But do we have any Canon evidence to support that?--------------------  W.L.Y.J. We love you Jo |
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