Harry Potter Forums

Harry Potter Forums

Forum RulesRules   FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister   ProfileProfile   Private MessagesPrivate Messages   Log inLog in
The Many Stupidities of the Triwizard Tournament
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Harry Potter Forums Index » Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author Message
rexmism
Muggle

Joined: Feb 21, 2007
Posts: 8

PostPosted: February 21, 2007 12:24 pm    Post subject: The Many Stupidities of the Triwizard Tournament Reply with quote

Hello. I'm about 3/4 through this book and I have some questions about this tournament. First of all, how often is this tournament held? I know this is the first time in a while, but did it used to be annual? If so, is it the case that every year, two schools had a handful of students who were just gone for the entire year for the sake of three events held three months apart, even if they aren't even participating in them? And apparently headmaster isn't much of a job if the school can stand to be without them for the whole year while they are off getting upset about being part giant and giving ridiculous scores which are of course not questioned. I know the head of a school might be gone a lot, but the entire year? Absurd. And how about the fact that the whole school is so excited about this event, and then they basically sit there for an hour staring at a lake twiddling their thumbs while they wait for the champions to come out and tell what exciting things happened. I assume this will also probably be the case for the maze event, because JKLMNOP has the logic of whoever made those idiotic jelly beans that taste like crap you would never want to eat.
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: February 21, 2007 4:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you are kind of bunching everything up. i am a bit confused but i get where your coming from with the heads of the house being gone. i belive it states in the book how often the tornements use to take place but i forgot im sorry. umm has for the student being gone for a year it was because they wanted to enter the triwizard cup. its not like there wasting a year of education but they still learn new things wile battling through tasks and they study hard for the months between each tasks..its not like they sit there and wake up one morning ready for the task.
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
rexmism
Muggle

Joined: Feb 21, 2007
Posts: 8

PostPosted: February 21, 2007 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do the students from other schools actually go to class at Hogwarts? There is never mention of it that I've noticed. If not, well then what about the people from other schools who aren't even the champions? There are a handful from each school that stayed around the whole year for some unknown reason. As for the champions, I'm not sure what they're really learning. Take Harry, who has basically cheated his way through the first two tasks. Sort of unintentionally, but cheating nonetheless. Hagrid, Moody, Diggery, Mertyl, and Dobby basically told him what to do. So what did he learn? He flew around on the broom which he can already do, and he swam around in the water. And how often are they ever going to have to swim around in the water? The only thing you can really say they've learned is how to face challenges in general, but that's sort of shaky anyway. As for studying, I'm not sure how long it takes to get ready for the task. The first and third you can't really even prepare for (unless you cheat of course). The second shouldn't take that long, though I'm not sure how they were ever supposed to figure out to put the egg under water. Anyway, why not just have the whole thing in maybe a month or so rather than drag it out the whole year? And what is with having a dance during Christmas? Can you imagine a college holding a dance over Christmas break? There'd be like five people there. Everyone else would say, "Uh... see you next year."
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: February 22, 2007 1:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah. they would study in the library (champions) and the rest of the students would probably be with there headmaster/headmistrese for classes alone. i don't think it would have been a big thing to put in the story because nobody would care XD. has for harry everyone who was helping him was doing it because they felt bad he was thrown into the tornement. and moody only helped him because

Spoiler:

he was working for voldmort and he was supose to get harry to the cup.



don't open the spoiler until you have read it. i am not sure if you have yet.

Spoiler:

also you will notice that everyone who helped harry was influenced by the fake moody.


_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
Tessa
Sixth Year
Gryffindor Member

Joined: Oct 17, 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 609

PostPosted: February 23, 2007 4:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Hello. I'm about 3/4 through this book and I have some questions about this tournament.

Ok
Quote:
First of all, how often is this tournament held? I know this is the first time in a while, but did it used to be annual?

It is held once in the four years... somewhat like the Olimpics...
Quote:
If so, is it the case that every year, two schools had a handful of students who were just gone for the entire year for the sake of three events held three months apart, even if they aren't even participating in them?

They probably get lessons from their headmaster, but it could also be that they get classes from a Hogwarts teacher; I know that the German and French exchange students that came to my school got tought by our German and French teacher, other classes they got from teachers who spoke English with them. (I'm Dutch)
Quote:
And apparently headmaster isn't much of a job if the school can stand to be without them for the whole year while they are off getting upset about being part giant and giving ridiculous scores which are of course not questioned. I know the head of a school might be gone a lot, but the entire year? Absurd.

Well, you've got the assistent headmaster (In the case of Hogwarts Minerva McGonagall) who can take care of things. And since the Tournament is held once in four year and there're three schools, the head would only be gone for 2 of the 12 years...
Quote:
And how about the fact that the whole school is so excited about this event, and then they basically sit there for an hour staring at a lake twiddling their thumbs while they wait for the champions to come out and tell what exciting things happened. I assume this will also probably be the case for the maze event, because JKLMNOP has the logic of whoever made those idiotic jelly beans that taste like crap you would never want to eat.

Have you ever watched a soccer game? Very Happy
_________________
Nederlands!!
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: February 23, 2007 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tessa wrote:
Quote:
Hello. I'm about 3/4 through this book and I have some questions about this tournament.

Ok
Quote:
First of all, how often is this tournament held? I know this is the first time in a while, but did it used to be annual?

It is held once in the four years... somewhat like the Olimpics...
Quote:
If so, is it the case that every year, two schools had a handful of students who were just gone for the entire year for the sake of three events held three months apart, even if they aren't even participating in them?

They probably get lessons from their headmaster, but it could also be that they get classes from a Hogwarts teacher; I know that the German and French exchange students that came to my school got tought by our German and French teacher, other classes they got from teachers who spoke English with them. (I'm Dutch)
Quote:
And apparently headmaster isn't much of a job if the school can stand to be without them for the whole year while they are off getting upset about being part giant and giving ridiculous scores which are of course not questioned. I know the head of a school might be gone a lot, but the entire year? Absurd.

Well, you've got the assistent headmaster (In the case of Hogwarts Minerva McGonagall) who can take care of things. And since the Tournament is held once in four year and there're three schools, the head would only be gone for 2 of the 12 years...
Quote:
And how about the fact that the whole school is so excited about this event, and then they basically sit there for an hour staring at a lake twiddling their thumbs while they wait for the champions to come out and tell what exciting things happened. I assume this will also probably be the case for the maze event, because JKLMNOP has the logic of whoever made those idiotic jelly beans that taste like crap you would never want to eat.

Have you ever watched a soccer game? Very Happy


your the best =)
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
rexmism
Muggle

Joined: Feb 21, 2007
Posts: 8

PostPosted: February 23, 2007 1:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sure, it's possible for them to take classes there and everything. It just seems silly and pointless. Either don't drag it out for so long or just come for the task, go home, come back for the next, etc. Is it that hard for wizards to travel? (Though I have noticed they dont have anything near as convenient as the telephone.)
As for soccer, well soccer is boring, but at least you can WATCH it as opposed to sitting there staring at an empty field, waiting for the scoreboard to tell who won the game. My suspicions of the maze were confirmed as well. The students sat there in front of the hedges. They obviously had no idea what was going on inside the maze. So why bother? Maybe wizards should try to invent some cameras or something. Ridiculous.
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: February 23, 2007 5:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you have a point with the maze.
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
Tessa
Sixth Year
Gryffindor Member

Joined: Oct 17, 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 609

PostPosted: February 24, 2007 3:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
your the best =)


Thanks for the compliment Very Happy

About the maze... it is weird that they just sit there...
Maybe there was some sort of show while the champions where in the maze?
_________________
Nederlands!!
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: February 24, 2007 6:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tessa wrote:
Quote:
your the best =)


Thanks for the compliment Very Happy

About the maze... it is weird that they just sit there...
Maybe there was some sort of show while the champions where in the maze?


must have been. i guess that or they just sat there so see how comes out champion.
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
rexmism
Muggle

Joined: Feb 21, 2007
Posts: 8

PostPosted: February 26, 2007 1:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThE_DaRk_MaRk wrote:
Tessa wrote:
Quote:
your the best =)


Thanks for the compliment Very Happy

About the maze... it is weird that they just sit there...
Maybe there was some sort of show while the champions where in the maze?


must have been. i guess that or they just sat there so see how comes out champion.


Maybe so. They would have to have some form of entertainment I would think?

Speaking of entertainment, if you have some time, check this out and let me know what you think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EFqXMmQlmo

The visuals are sort of boring but maybe you'll like the audio.
Back to top
Tessa
Sixth Year
Gryffindor Member

Joined: Oct 17, 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 609

PostPosted: February 27, 2007 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm really sorry, I can't view those... (i-net connection - parents; don't ask Very Happy)
_________________
Nederlands!!
Back to top
sallyann22
Seventh Year
Slytherin Member

Joined: Feb 22, 2007
Location: Great Britain, so where are you?
Posts: 764

PostPosted: February 27, 2007 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

rexmism wrote:
Sure, it's possible for them to take classes there and everything. It just seems silly and pointless. Either don't drag it out for so long or just come for the task, go home, come back for the next, etc.


I think the real purpose of the Triwizard Tournament is a cultural exchange. That can't happen if you go home for tea. Each country in Europe has different cultures, but we're all European.

I'm sure each state in America is very different, and have different laws too (I'm guessing here, am I right?). So it's like Tessa said, we stay over for a while and take lessons abroad as well in order to *absorb* the different ways of living.
_________________
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: February 27, 2007 8:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sallyann22 wrote:
rexmism wrote:
Sure, it's possible for them to take classes there and everything. It just seems silly and pointless. Either don't drag it out for so long or just come for the task, go home, come back for the next, etc.


I think the real purpose of the Triwizard Tournament is a cultural exchange. That can't happen if you go home for tea. Each country in Europe has different cultures, but we're all European.

I'm sure each state in America is very different, and have different laws too (I'm guessing here, am I right?). So it's like Tessa said, we stay over for a while and take lessons abroad as well in order to *absorb* the different ways of living.


very well answered. couldn't have said it better myself.
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
rexmism
Muggle

Joined: Feb 21, 2007
Posts: 8

PostPosted: February 27, 2007 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sure, different areas within the US are a bit different, though I've never heard of exchange students within the country. Anyway, I understand the idea, as long as the students are still taking classes. Although, for one, it always bugs me that they don't take any "useful" courses, like say math or science, and two, still, why have the headmaster be gone all year?
Back to top
sallyann22
Seventh Year
Slytherin Member

Joined: Feb 22, 2007
Location: Great Britain, so where are you?
Posts: 764

PostPosted: February 28, 2007 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Exchange students are a very normal part of European life. We're divided by multiple languages. Each American state doesn't have it's own currency and language, so that's probably why you don't have cultural exchanges, as a guess. **That makes me curious as to how each American state is different?**

In middle European countries its normal to use 3 or more languages every day of your life. I've heard them switch between Dutch, German, French and English in a heartbeat. It's simply amazing.

Southern Europeans like Spanish and Italians are all about style. Northern Europeans are more technical or engineering cultures, like Germany.

Now we have Eastern Europeans, East Germany, Bulgaria, Poland who are ex communist cultures. Not long ago, they were ruled by Russia. Now they're free. No visa required. You can travel anywhere, work anywhere? That's a major cultural shift. Even more so, is the move from Communism ideology to Capitalism. As an America, you'd *get* the laws of supply and demand, but imagine if you'd been told what to do by Russia? Now you had no-one telling you what to do, yet had no experience of capitalism or free market economies? How strange would that *feel*?
We're all so different. So cultural exchanges are critical, whereas in American you're all at least used to Capitalism.

I do wonder about maths and science in Hogwarts. Potions I would call Chemistry? Would you agree? If you're *bugged* as to useful courses, in European terms, you'd be happiest as a Northern European, English or German to have those cultural influences.
Congratulations - your UK passport is in the post! Laughing
_________________
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: February 28, 2007 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

they learn the basics to math, science ect ect. in grade school. thats why they don't start wizarding school until they turn 11. remember harry and hagrid in th hut in the ps? he tells hagrid that he can do math and science and he goes we aren't woried about that. we are talking about your world...you parents world. (something along the lines).

also in the U.S.A . the diffrence between the states have to be just laws, living styles, family backrounds. its hard to explain but i would love to visit Europe and Asia. To bad i am poor -_-..
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
rexmism
Muggle

Joined: Feb 21, 2007
Posts: 8

PostPosted: March 1, 2007 10:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There really isn't a lot of difference from state to state. Like dark mark said, laws. I live in Ohio and I went to Kansas City, Missouri for two months for an internship. I really didn't notice any cultural difference. I'd never heard of a chain of grocery stores that was popular there and their radio stations start with K instead of W. That's about it. Now if I'd gone to Texas or California or Minnesota I might have noticed more of a difference with climate and accents. But for the most part it's not too different. Oh, I suppose except Alaska and Hawaii. The black sheep of the family. By the way, Europeans, I've always wondered, how well familiar are you with the states? I mean there's 50 of them. That's a lot. I'm not real familiar with the geography of England/UK/GB, etc. That confuses me enough as it is. Are you like, well there's California and New York but I'm not real sure what else, or can you sing that song with all 50 states?
Back to top
sallyann22
Seventh Year
Slytherin Member

Joined: Feb 22, 2007
Location: Great Britain, so where are you?
Posts: 764

PostPosted: March 5, 2007 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sadly American states don't exist for us. I'm sure its the same with European countries for you guys.

New York and Florida (Disneyland) exist on our Radar, only due to Virgin Holidays!!

The UK is a set of "monarchy based" Kingdoms, who are united under the British flag... each very distinctive (England, Scotland, Wales). Note I'm excluding North Ireland, only because it's a different land mass/island.
We have "devolution", ie the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments make minor rule/laws relating to their countries.

You can relate it back to HP, based on geography.
Hufflepuff - Valleys - Wales is known for its lush Green valleys.
Ravenclaw - Glens - Scotland is known for its rugged Highlands and Glens.
Gryff - Moors - Yorkshire moors are in the north of England. Beautiful but wild.
Slytherin - Fens - likely to be Eastern England (North East of London).

There's a lot of our quirks tied up in HP; that as an American you wouldn't instinctively "feel" the storyline, just as I don't "feel" the difference between each state.

However, both Alaska and Hawaii sound fun to me. Those probably are 2 states that I'd recognise. Why are they black sheep?
_________________
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: March 5, 2007 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Each American state is only different by laws and maybe ancestral backgrounds. Each state has there own pride and laws. I have been to Florida
about 4-5 times. Nothing special. I live in New York...Nothing special. I am sure if i was from Europe it would be different.
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
sallyann22
Seventh Year
Slytherin Member

Joined: Feb 22, 2007
Location: Great Britain, so where are you?
Posts: 764

PostPosted: March 5, 2007 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've been to Florida, Great shopping. Blinking hot though. It was like 95 degrees - in the shade, at night, with a fan on. New York sounds wonderful, good range of shops, and Starbucks (bow low in appreciation here).

New York I'm sure has just as much to offer as an European city, unless you're heavily into sculpture, museums and architecture, at which the Romans have left us with packing crates of the stuff. You know there's only so art and culture you can be riveted by, before your interest starts to wane. I appreciate it, but boy do we have too much of it.

Van gogh versus Starbucks... ummh.
No brainer really. Sorry to all the art critics I've offended.
_________________
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: March 6, 2007 1:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sallyann22 wrote:
I've been to Florida, Great shopping. Blinking hot though. It was like 95 degrees - in the shade, at night, with a fan on. New York sounds wonderful, good range of shops, and Starbucks (bow low in appreciation here).

New York I'm sure has just as much to offer as an European city, unless you're heavily into sculpture, museums and architecture, at which the Romans have left us with packing crates of the stuff. You know there's only so art and culture you can be riveted by, before your interest starts to wane. I appreciate it, but boy do we have too much of it.

Van gogh versus Starbucks... ummh.
No brainer really. Sorry to all the art critics I've offended.


he he I'll take some. i could use the money.
_________________
Join Reality Of It All!!!
Back to top
sallyann22
Seventh Year
Slytherin Member

Joined: Feb 22, 2007
Location: Great Britain, so where are you?
Posts: 764

PostPosted: March 6, 2007 5:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can have all the floor to ceiling paintings, that bore me senseless, even if they're worth millions for each painting.

I'll keep all the White marble sculptures. I'm partial to those. Deal?

Oh yeah, and a pint of Starbucks please Very Happy
_________________
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Back to top
ThE_DaRk_MaRk
Riku
Hufflepuff Prefect

Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 6472

PostPosted: March 6, 2007 9:54 pm    Post subject: