Over the years, the Harry Potter franchise has been the subject of countless jokes and discussions, often lighthearted and never too serious. However, in recent times, the focus has shifted towards J.K. Rowling’s controversial statements and the Fantastic Beasts movies, which have left fans feeling disappointed. Amidst all this, it’s still amusing to ponder the glaring flaws of Hogwarts and its professors. To maintain the magic of the fantasy, let’s explore five reasons why the Hogwarts professors were great and five reasons they were terrible.
1. Terrible: Lack of Practical Skills Education
Most of the curriculum at Hogwarts focused on developing magical skills to make life easier. However, there seemed to be a glaring absence of practical subjects like home economics, health, or mathematics. Were students expected to learn these in the Muggle world? The overreliance on magic might have left them ill-prepared for real-life situations.
2. Great: Encouraging Independent Learning
While the professors did push their students to excel in various subjects, they also allowed them to learn at their own pace. They didn’t constantly hover over their students, giving them the freedom to succeed or fail based on their own merits. This hands-off approach fostered a sense of independence and self-reliance among the students.
3. Terrible: Inadequate Vetting of Professors
Considering the magical nature of Hogwarts, one would expect a thorough vetting process for hiring professors. However, the hiring process seemed questionable, as evidenced by Voldemort’s servant infiltrating the school and the hiring of a fraud in the Chamber of Secrets. This raises concerns about the safety and quality of education at Hogwarts.
4. Great: Making Learning Engaging and Fun
Each professor at Hogwarts had their unique teaching style, which made learning interesting and enjoyable. Despite the occasional mishap with dangerous creatures or spells, the educational experience at Hogwarts was undoubtedly memorable and engaging for the students.
5. Terrible: Entrusting Students with Dangerous Weapons
It’s baffling that young students were given wands, which could be either harmless or incredibly dangerous. Handing such a weapon to a child seems unwise, especially during puberty when emotions run high and impulsive actions are common. Were there any magical safeguards in place to prevent accidents?
6. Great: Demonstrating Trust in Students
On the flip side, giving students wands also showed a great deal of trust in their ability to handle responsibility. The risks of expulsion or injury likely served as a deterrent for reckless behavior. Students raised in the wizarding world would likely have a better understanding of the potential dangers they faced.
7. Terrible: No Non-Magical Skills Training
While anti-magic might not be a significant concern in the wizarding world, it’s worth considering the vulnerability of wizards and witches without their wands. Teaching basic fighting skills, both unarmed and with weapons, could be beneficial for students who might find themselves in dangerous situations.
8. Great: Students Did Learn and Progress
Despite the flaws in the Hogwarts education system, students did graduate and move on to successful careers. This indicates that they did learn something valuable from their professors, even if they sometimes acted more like mentors than traditional teachers.
9. Terrible: Constant Exposure to Danger
Throughout their time at Hogwarts, students faced numerous life-threatening situations, from a troll in the girl’s bathroom to a basilisk roaming the school’s pipes. The looming threat of a dark wizard’s return only added to the danger. While real-world schools have their issues, they rarely involve such perilous circumstances.
10. Great: Professors Were Capable of Protecting Students
Despite the numerous problems at Hogwarts, the professors were accomplished wizards and witches who could defend their students when necessary. This serves as a reminder that, at its core, the Harry Potter series is a fantastical escape from reality, and sometimes it’s best to focus on the magic rather than the flaws.
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