Happy Birthday, Minerva
Oct. 4th, 2006 12:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stuttermoanI'm loopy because I stayed up far too late finishing a paper, but I love McGonagall, so dammit, here's yet another birthday profile from The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers. Just like the others, it matches its character creepily well. JKR, you used this book. Don't even try to deny it.
Libra - October 4 - The Day of the Incorrigibles
"Strengths: Tasteful, Socially Adept, Humorous
Weaknesses: Complacent, Headstrong, Foolhardy"
The only one that seems out of place to me is 'complacent.'
"Unlike most people, those born on October 4 simply live their lives and behave the way they wish to. Thought they often present an agreeable and charming persona, they have an inner toughness that is the product of negotiating a less than perfect world. It is from this realistic and survival-minded core that they derive their ironic perspective, keen observations and sharp sense of humor."
Tough and snarky? That definitely matches.
"October 4 people like things to go smoothly, but there is no doubt that they wish things to flow smoothly in the direction they themselves choose. They are able to exert their authority in a subtle fashion, so that they can be the boss without appearing so. As a matter of fact, this is quite a deceptive quality -- those born on this day can appear to be very relaxed and accepting people a good deal of the time, yet all the while are unyielding where their authority is concerned. Nonetheless, others find relaxed October 4 charm pleasant and soothing."
Since we see JKR's world through Harry's point of view, I think we see a lot more strict, matronly McGonagall than there really is. Although she is never afraid to speak her mind, she seems a lot more easy-going around Dumbledore and her fellow professors. I think that she has always had more sway and input (in the school, the Order, etc.) than a casual observer would notice.
"October 4 people have a unique if not eccentric view of the world. Yet when they share their ideas with others, they are more often than not accepted, appreciated, even loved for their idiosyncracies. Perhaps this is because they themselves enjoy people and partake freely of everything society has to offer. In this sense they are deeply human people, and have a strong bond with their fellow men and women. Rarely will they be snobbish, even if they move in high circles or breathe the rarefied air of success."
Although undoubtedly stubborn and strict, we see flashes of McGonagall's empathy, beginning with her grief over the death of the Potters in book 1. And hey, anyone who accepts a kiss on the cheek from drunk!Hagrid is definitely not snobbish.
"Danger holds a great attraction for October 4 people. They do not look on it, however, as many see it (i.e., life threatening and negative). To them, dangerous situations are more often than not made dangerous through carelessness. Of course risks are involved, but for the most part, whether it is climbing mountains, scuba diving, or hang gliding, October 4 people simply take the necessary training and precautions and go for it, usually with good results."
I think this part aligns with her membership in the Order, and her involvement in the war. She believes in the cause, and knows how to defend herself, so any other decision is out of the question. Also, considering how much she loves quidditch, I can totally picture her playing the sport herself in her youth.
"October 4 people pride themselves on their families. Even if they do not have children themselves, they are usually someone's favorite aunt or uncle, devoted husband or wife. They are very socially adept. This does not mean, however, that they dislike being alone, as long as this isolation is self-imposed. To prove the point, those born on this day display marked concentrative powers in doing solo work."
Unfortunately we know nothing of her family life, but this is believable to me.
"One difficulty many October 4 people have is that they are not ambitious enough and like having things pleasurable, comfortable and easy. Indeed, they have good taste and love to surround themselves with beautiful things. If they lack the necessary tension to forge ahead in the world, they may need a stimulus to inspire greater effort. Personal handicaps, obstacles, rejection in the workplace or a tyrannical authority figure can all serve to bring out their fighting instincts."
I suppose this ties in to the 'complacent' mention earlier. I agree with this to an extent, but I think it's more an issue of wanting to control her surroundings. Because Harry has always viewed McGonagall under the influence of the war, we're shown more of her 'fighting instincts' than we might otherwise see.
"Generally, those ruled by the number 4 are not overly concerned with money, and this holds true for October 4 people who focus more on ideas and principles."
Her home life in general is a blank as well, but this seems likely for her personality.
"The 4th card of the Major Arcana is The Emperor, who rules over worldly things through wisdom, the primary source of his power. The Emperor is stable and wise; the force of his authority cannot be questioned. The positive associations of this card are strong willpower and steadfast energy; negative indications include stubbornness, tyranny, even brutality."
The positive aspects fit her perfectly. I can't see her strong sense of fairness ever letting her lapse into anything worse than stubbornness.
Libra - October 4 - The Day of the Incorrigibles
"Strengths: Tasteful, Socially Adept, Humorous
Weaknesses: Complacent, Headstrong, Foolhardy"
The only one that seems out of place to me is 'complacent.'
"Unlike most people, those born on October 4 simply live their lives and behave the way they wish to. Thought they often present an agreeable and charming persona, they have an inner toughness that is the product of negotiating a less than perfect world. It is from this realistic and survival-minded core that they derive their ironic perspective, keen observations and sharp sense of humor."
Tough and snarky? That definitely matches.
"October 4 people like things to go smoothly, but there is no doubt that they wish things to flow smoothly in the direction they themselves choose. They are able to exert their authority in a subtle fashion, so that they can be the boss without appearing so. As a matter of fact, this is quite a deceptive quality -- those born on this day can appear to be very relaxed and accepting people a good deal of the time, yet all the while are unyielding where their authority is concerned. Nonetheless, others find relaxed October 4 charm pleasant and soothing."
Since we see JKR's world through Harry's point of view, I think we see a lot more strict, matronly McGonagall than there really is. Although she is never afraid to speak her mind, she seems a lot more easy-going around Dumbledore and her fellow professors. I think that she has always had more sway and input (in the school, the Order, etc.) than a casual observer would notice.
"October 4 people have a unique if not eccentric view of the world. Yet when they share their ideas with others, they are more often than not accepted, appreciated, even loved for their idiosyncracies. Perhaps this is because they themselves enjoy people and partake freely of everything society has to offer. In this sense they are deeply human people, and have a strong bond with their fellow men and women. Rarely will they be snobbish, even if they move in high circles or breathe the rarefied air of success."
Although undoubtedly stubborn and strict, we see flashes of McGonagall's empathy, beginning with her grief over the death of the Potters in book 1. And hey, anyone who accepts a kiss on the cheek from drunk!Hagrid is definitely not snobbish.
"Danger holds a great attraction for October 4 people. They do not look on it, however, as many see it (i.e., life threatening and negative). To them, dangerous situations are more often than not made dangerous through carelessness. Of course risks are involved, but for the most part, whether it is climbing mountains, scuba diving, or hang gliding, October 4 people simply take the necessary training and precautions and go for it, usually with good results."
I think this part aligns with her membership in the Order, and her involvement in the war. She believes in the cause, and knows how to defend herself, so any other decision is out of the question. Also, considering how much she loves quidditch, I can totally picture her playing the sport herself in her youth.
"October 4 people pride themselves on their families. Even if they do not have children themselves, they are usually someone's favorite aunt or uncle, devoted husband or wife. They are very socially adept. This does not mean, however, that they dislike being alone, as long as this isolation is self-imposed. To prove the point, those born on this day display marked concentrative powers in doing solo work."
Unfortunately we know nothing of her family life, but this is believable to me.
"One difficulty many October 4 people have is that they are not ambitious enough and like having things pleasurable, comfortable and easy. Indeed, they have good taste and love to surround themselves with beautiful things. If they lack the necessary tension to forge ahead in the world, they may need a stimulus to inspire greater effort. Personal handicaps, obstacles, rejection in the workplace or a tyrannical authority figure can all serve to bring out their fighting instincts."
I suppose this ties in to the 'complacent' mention earlier. I agree with this to an extent, but I think it's more an issue of wanting to control her surroundings. Because Harry has always viewed McGonagall under the influence of the war, we're shown more of her 'fighting instincts' than we might otherwise see.
"Generally, those ruled by the number 4 are not overly concerned with money, and this holds true for October 4 people who focus more on ideas and principles."
Her home life in general is a blank as well, but this seems likely for her personality.
"The 4th card of the Major Arcana is The Emperor, who rules over worldly things through wisdom, the primary source of his power. The Emperor is stable and wise; the force of his authority cannot be questioned. The positive associations of this card are strong willpower and steadfast energy; negative indications include stubbornness, tyranny, even brutality."
The positive aspects fit her perfectly. I can't see her strong sense of fairness ever letting her lapse into anything worse than stubbornness.
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no subject
Date: 2006-10-05 09:23 pm (UTC)Personal handicaps, obstacles, rejection in the workplace or a tyrannical authority figure can all serve to bring out their fighting instincts.
I love how perfectly this fits the Umbridge situation.
JKR, you used this book. Don't even try to deny it.
Somebody should ask her anyway! It seems so weird but actually it's not a bad way to create characters. Look up a ready made description and work with it.
Are you going to do Flitwick? Okay, he's not that fascinating, just interesting to me because my best friend and my nephew are both born on the same day, and I'd be interested if I find it holds up for real people, too. (I have to say I'm pretty sure they're both Ravenclaws! Yeah, my nephew's a bit young.) I guess I have to buy this book.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-06 12:09 am (UTC)/poke
Date: 2006-10-18 01:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-05 10:39 pm (UTC)Have to say, looking at your other posts about astrology and this book - this is some fantastic stuff. Creepy, yes, but fantastic. I really want this book now. :D
no subject
Date: 2006-10-06 12:13 am (UTC)