Dress Robes in Book Four and Characterization

[the_jackalope]

An exploration of dress robe colors and houses, as found in book four, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Comments

[mollymoon]

Interesting thoughts. But aside from Harry-Green, Ron-Red, Hermione-Blue, I really don't know if we're getting any extra info from JKR in this passage.

hmmm

[mieystrapurore]

nice icon...

[terrylj]

This is very interesting! Thanks for posting it.

*sigh* Every time I think I have heard every possible idea about these books, somebody comes up with a new angle...

Percy

[mmulberry]

My theory of Percy's robe choice is nothing to do with houses; he wants to be accepted in the 'adult' world, always proving himself and working overtime. I think the navy blue robes are Percy trying to dissociate himself totally from the whole school thing. He doesn't want to be thought of as just a student, he is an adult in his own right now. Navy blue is a very businesslike colour, and I wouldn't have been surprised if JKR had said he had pinstripes as well. I've also always thought of Ravenclaw as Royal blue, not navy, so I guess that is why I don't connect navy with house colours.
Also, he's there representing the government, so he's probably trying to seem neutral. I wouldn't be surprised if he had been told to wear a non-house colour to give the impression the government doesn't see the house divisions. Equal oppotunity ruler/employer and all that.

Re: Percy

[the_jackalope]

I think that was also a factor. Percy definitely is trying to grow up, and the navy blue does give the impression of adulthood. However none of the others are wearing exactly the house colors either. Hermione is wearing a light blue, Ron is in a maroon (which may be a red color, but it isn't Gryffindor red, Crabbe and Goyle are in a moss green (kinda bolder like as well). I think it is possible both interpretations could be seen.

[beyond_pale]

I had just kind of assumed the yellow in bagman's getup was a slight reference to his old quidditch team, which played in yellow-and-black robes.

[anonymous]

Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle seem to represent the characteristic of their respective Houses.

Erm, I'm not exactly a HP fan, but I thought Slytherin was cunning and ambition? Neither of which would really define Crabbe and Goyle...

Interesting, otherwise ^_^

[the_jackalope]

Actually I think that by attaching themselves to Malfoy, who is from what we've seen the most powerful student of his year in his house, they show quite a bit of cunning and ambition. You don't have to be clever or smart to be either cunning or ambitious. Something I think many people overlook. Indeed one could say that Crabbe and Goyle have recognized their shortcomings and rather then try to overcome it, use thier strongest attributes to get ahead.

Anyway, thanks for the comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the essay.