The Fountain of Fair Fortune, Why was this popular tale so controversial? |
 Sep 29 2009, 07:15 AM
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Madame Pince's House Elf  Posts: 4,718 Joined: 5:46pm January 28, 2005 Location: In HP Book Club 5, awaiting Deathly Hallow's release.  |
THE FOUNTAIN OF FAIR FORTUNE This popular tale, which even formed the basis of a Hogwarts pantomime production, seems reasonable enough. The Fountain is 'high on a hill in an enchanted garden, enclosed by tall walls and protected by strong magic.....Once a year, between the hours of sunrise and sunset on the longest day, a single unfortunate was given the chance to fight their way to the Fountain, bathe in its waters and receive Fair Fortune for evermore.' Beedle's tale concerns three woebegone witches who hung onto each other to tackle the obstacles stopping them from reaching their destination. They, and their inadvertent companion, Sir Luckless, succeed in getting so far, but all four benefit, whether or not they bathe in the water. According to Dumbledore's accompanying notes, Lucius Malfoy, a school governor, took great exception to this story, even wanting it banned from the library. It is their differing opinions on this subject which opens the conflict between Lucius Malfoy and Albus Dumbledore so apparent during Harry Potter's Hogwarts schooldays. Why would such an innocent tale cause the likes of Lucius Malfoy such animosity? Here are some other questions you may like to answer or ponder: 1. What do you think are the main morals of this tale? 2. Which was really more important, the magical fountain, the efforts the four adventurers made to succeed, or the change in their state of mind? 3. Why were the tears of Asha such an appropriate 'proof of her pain' to the great Worm at the base of a hill? Why is 'sweat of her brow' a suitable 'payment of the fruit of her labour' for the wandless Altheda? 4. What in your opinion causes the likes of Lucius Malfoy the most umbrage? The point of the tale itself? Or is it the characters? This post has been edited by WaggaWaggaWerewolf: Sep 29 2009, 03:48 PM --------------------  Check out Book Number 5 POA edition. |
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