Wall of Fame
Lesson 1
HW - Essay
Let me start off by saying "For shame, Arthur Weasley, for shame!" Never has there been such a case of blatant hypocrisy as Mr. Weasley's involvement in the banning of the flying carpet. He, with his utter fascination of all things Muggle!! It is enough to set my teeth on edge, I tell you that much. Of course, Mr. Weasley is not the only one amiss in this instance. The whole Ministry of Magic could be taken to task over this one, if you ask me.
Yes, I will concur that the carpet is a common enough Muggle item, found in nearly ever Muggle home. But, I pray you, is not also the broom?!! By this logic, then the broomstick should be outlawed as well. Furthermore, initially the idea was to find an item that was common enough to the Muggles so as to not arouse suspicion. What, I ask you, is more common than the rug under your feet?! I doubt very much attention is paid to it on a daily basis, you know.
Suffice it to say, I do not agree with the ban. I will go so far as to say it is bigoted and preposterous. While I understand that the carpet may not have gained the popularity in England that the broom may have enjoyed, I still maintain that it should be left up to personal preference and not up to the law. What's good for one should be good for the other. Fair is only fair, and both items should be treated with equal measure, and held to the same standards. It is a gross flaw in our system and one I sincerely hope gets corrected in my lifetime.
As for my own personal preference, despite my outcry on the matter, I still prefer the broom as a mode of transport. It is faster and more economical, in my opinion, and as someone constantly on the go, I feel that it serves me better. In addition, I enjoy soaring among the clouds, as they say, and am an utter sucker for the latest and greatest technology. That being said, I do fancy a flying carpet for those times when I want to take the family (or just myself) on a more leisurely jaunt, such as a vacation. Plus, comfort does have its perks.
Source 1 Source 2
- Ariella McManus, ar1107, Ravenclaw
Yes, I will concur that the carpet is a common enough Muggle item, found in nearly ever Muggle home. But, I pray you, is not also the broom?!! By this logic, then the broomstick should be outlawed as well. Furthermore, initially the idea was to find an item that was common enough to the Muggles so as to not arouse suspicion. What, I ask you, is more common than the rug under your feet?! I doubt very much attention is paid to it on a daily basis, you know.
Suffice it to say, I do not agree with the ban. I will go so far as to say it is bigoted and preposterous. While I understand that the carpet may not have gained the popularity in England that the broom may have enjoyed, I still maintain that it should be left up to personal preference and not up to the law. What's good for one should be good for the other. Fair is only fair, and both items should be treated with equal measure, and held to the same standards. It is a gross flaw in our system and one I sincerely hope gets corrected in my lifetime.
As for my own personal preference, despite my outcry on the matter, I still prefer the broom as a mode of transport. It is faster and more economical, in my opinion, and as someone constantly on the go, I feel that it serves me better. In addition, I enjoy soaring among the clouds, as they say, and am an utter sucker for the latest and greatest technology. That being said, I do fancy a flying carpet for those times when I want to take the family (or just myself) on a more leisurely jaunt, such as a vacation. Plus, comfort does have its perks.
Source 1 Source 2
- Ariella McManus, ar1107, Ravenclaw
To the idea of lifting the ban on magic carpets, I say...Why not? It's always been something that struck me a bit funny, actually. We ban carpets for their common use in the muggle world, while using broomsticks that are also very familiar to muggles. After all, they have to sweep their floors as well.
Not to mention, the world grows smaller and more diverse every day. Even if the wizarding world is behind when it comes to technological inventions, even we are exchanging ideas and stories worldwide. Many Asian and Middle Eastern witches and wizards have immigrated to England and America, doing their best to blend into the muggle world as much as we do. In fact, at least 1/3 of all Londoners are immigrants. And yet, we tell them that they can't use a familiar means of transportation, because it's 'too commonplace' of a muggle item, while they watch their muggle neighbors sweep their porches or homes with brooms. At this point, it's not hard to see that we could have a potential riot on our hands, decrying the unfairness and hypocrisy of it all.
And then you say, well, we have muggle stories that involve witches on brooms. Well, they have muggle stories of flying carpets. Some of which have even passed into England and America's stories. Aladdin, Ali Baba, Arabian Nights, these are all stories that come from their countries that are fairly common knowledge to many English and American muggles today. Who's not to say that a muggle might not just think it's a joke based on these tales, if they should happen to see a flying carpet? We expect them to do that if someone should fly their broom in muggle sight.
With that in mind, I have to ask, what is the harm? We're not supposed to fly our brooms in board daylight anyhow, to avoid muggle sighting. Surely the same rules would apply here? Lift the ban and apply the same restrictions and fines on carpets as you do brooms, and life will not only go on as it has, but it will also make our new countrymen feel much more welcomed.
As for my preference, I actually am not the biggest fan of flying altogether, suffering from acrophobia. But I will say the the idea of a flying carpet, being a much wider surface to sit on and being made of soft fabrics that will be comforting to hold on to, has a lot of appeal. Plus, I can get someone else to actually fly it for us, while I hide my face in their back the whole time and never noticed that I'm so far above ground. But I swear my argument for this has nothing to do with my preference.
Source 1 Source 2
- Lavinia Rookwood, la1060, Ravenclaw
Not to mention, the world grows smaller and more diverse every day. Even if the wizarding world is behind when it comes to technological inventions, even we are exchanging ideas and stories worldwide. Many Asian and Middle Eastern witches and wizards have immigrated to England and America, doing their best to blend into the muggle world as much as we do. In fact, at least 1/3 of all Londoners are immigrants. And yet, we tell them that they can't use a familiar means of transportation, because it's 'too commonplace' of a muggle item, while they watch their muggle neighbors sweep their porches or homes with brooms. At this point, it's not hard to see that we could have a potential riot on our hands, decrying the unfairness and hypocrisy of it all.
And then you say, well, we have muggle stories that involve witches on brooms. Well, they have muggle stories of flying carpets. Some of which have even passed into England and America's stories. Aladdin, Ali Baba, Arabian Nights, these are all stories that come from their countries that are fairly common knowledge to many English and American muggles today. Who's not to say that a muggle might not just think it's a joke based on these tales, if they should happen to see a flying carpet? We expect them to do that if someone should fly their broom in muggle sight.
With that in mind, I have to ask, what is the harm? We're not supposed to fly our brooms in board daylight anyhow, to avoid muggle sighting. Surely the same rules would apply here? Lift the ban and apply the same restrictions and fines on carpets as you do brooms, and life will not only go on as it has, but it will also make our new countrymen feel much more welcomed.
As for my preference, I actually am not the biggest fan of flying altogether, suffering from acrophobia. But I will say the the idea of a flying carpet, being a much wider surface to sit on and being made of soft fabrics that will be comforting to hold on to, has a lot of appeal. Plus, I can get someone else to actually fly it for us, while I hide my face in their back the whole time and never noticed that I'm so far above ground. But I swear my argument for this has nothing to do with my preference.
Source 1 Source 2
- Lavinia Rookwood, la1060, Ravenclaw
EC - CREATIVE WRITING
an excerpt taken from the diary of Elliot Smethwyck. the inventor of the Cushioning Charm
January 19, 1820
Dearest Diary,
I hate my children. I've often thought the words privately, but never dared speak them aloud, nor even commit them to parchment, but today the little brats have driven me too far! They, who I have clothed and fed without expectation of thanks or repayment, have proven to me the sort of ungrateful, cruel creatures I have housed under my roof these many years. Even now, my hand shakes with the ire I feel!
What, may you well ask, could drive a father to speak so harshly against his young? I, Elliot Smethwyck will be more than happy to provide you with the answer! Pain, dear diary-pain and wounded pride. Both my aching limbs and bruised ego have felt the stings of their laughter once too often to merely laugh it away as I usually do. I am hurting, both in heart and in body-and knowing that they delight in my torment---ah, the little devils!
Thrice in a fortnight, I have flown the journey from Smethwick to Wightwick in order to bring what comfort I might to an old friend who lay on his deathbed. William always delighted so in my 'odd little tinkerings' as he called them, it was the very least I could do. After all, it was William himself who took me in all those years ago when I had nowhere else to go and no money to get there. But, I digress.
My old broom is trusty enough, but certainly not the most comfortable of rides-especially thrice a fortnight, with the added burden of being laden with gifts for poor William. Though I would never let him see my own misery, my posterior and back paid a dear price for my charity. I am not as young as I used to be, you know. i grow older with each passing year-this next birth day will mark my thirtieth!
And do I get sympathy from my loving family for my bruises and pains?! My backside is fairly pocked with blisters and bruises, my back a twisted knot of muscles-and they laugh! Demetrius, my youngest, went so far as to say that it was "fate's way of handing out justice", whatever THAT was supposed to mean. When I am feeling better I swear I will take the cane to the lot of them and then we will see who has the last laugh.
Even my own sweet wife, Eleanor is against me, it seems. Once more she is harping on me about spending all of my galleons on new materials for inventions. I can still hear her voice ringing in my ears even as I write this: "But Elliot; be responsible! The food is running low, Prunella needs books for her schooling and I simply MUST have new cushions for these chairs! I can barely stand to sit on them anymore! Last week I....." That was when I quit listening.
CUSHIONS! Eleanor, my love, my dearest, you are a genius! That is exactly what I will do! You shall have your cushions and I shall never again endure such a torturous ride! I am a smart man; I shall invent a cushioning charm and enchant my broom. A broom as comfortable as my favorite chair!! It shall be done, or my name is not Elliot Smethwyck!!
-------------------
January 25, 1820
Dear Diary,
Success!!! The Cushioning Charm is a complete success!! And thanks to old Dame Agnes, my bruises and aches are just about gone. That tea she sent is true magic. A good woman, Dame Agnes, for a squib. I do want to clear up one thing, dear Diary. I do not really hate my children-most days. Though it will be THEY who will wish they had a Cushioning Charm of their own for their backsides when I finish with them for laughing at me!!
- Ariella McManus, ar1107, Ravenclaw
January 19, 1820
Dearest Diary,
I hate my children. I've often thought the words privately, but never dared speak them aloud, nor even commit them to parchment, but today the little brats have driven me too far! They, who I have clothed and fed without expectation of thanks or repayment, have proven to me the sort of ungrateful, cruel creatures I have housed under my roof these many years. Even now, my hand shakes with the ire I feel!
What, may you well ask, could drive a father to speak so harshly against his young? I, Elliot Smethwyck will be more than happy to provide you with the answer! Pain, dear diary-pain and wounded pride. Both my aching limbs and bruised ego have felt the stings of their laughter once too often to merely laugh it away as I usually do. I am hurting, both in heart and in body-and knowing that they delight in my torment---ah, the little devils!
Thrice in a fortnight, I have flown the journey from Smethwick to Wightwick in order to bring what comfort I might to an old friend who lay on his deathbed. William always delighted so in my 'odd little tinkerings' as he called them, it was the very least I could do. After all, it was William himself who took me in all those years ago when I had nowhere else to go and no money to get there. But, I digress.
My old broom is trusty enough, but certainly not the most comfortable of rides-especially thrice a fortnight, with the added burden of being laden with gifts for poor William. Though I would never let him see my own misery, my posterior and back paid a dear price for my charity. I am not as young as I used to be, you know. i grow older with each passing year-this next birth day will mark my thirtieth!
And do I get sympathy from my loving family for my bruises and pains?! My backside is fairly pocked with blisters and bruises, my back a twisted knot of muscles-and they laugh! Demetrius, my youngest, went so far as to say that it was "fate's way of handing out justice", whatever THAT was supposed to mean. When I am feeling better I swear I will take the cane to the lot of them and then we will see who has the last laugh.
Even my own sweet wife, Eleanor is against me, it seems. Once more she is harping on me about spending all of my galleons on new materials for inventions. I can still hear her voice ringing in my ears even as I write this: "But Elliot; be responsible! The food is running low, Prunella needs books for her schooling and I simply MUST have new cushions for these chairs! I can barely stand to sit on them anymore! Last week I....." That was when I quit listening.
CUSHIONS! Eleanor, my love, my dearest, you are a genius! That is exactly what I will do! You shall have your cushions and I shall never again endure such a torturous ride! I am a smart man; I shall invent a cushioning charm and enchant my broom. A broom as comfortable as my favorite chair!! It shall be done, or my name is not Elliot Smethwyck!!
-------------------
January 25, 1820
Dear Diary,
Success!!! The Cushioning Charm is a complete success!! And thanks to old Dame Agnes, my bruises and aches are just about gone. That tea she sent is true magic. A good woman, Dame Agnes, for a squib. I do want to clear up one thing, dear Diary. I do not really hate my children-most days. Though it will be THEY who will wish they had a Cushioning Charm of their own for their backsides when I finish with them for laughing at me!!
- Ariella McManus, ar1107, Ravenclaw
February 19th, 1915
I've been at this for too many years it feels like. I didn't think, when I decided to try my hand at making a broomstick of my own, it would turn into this. I had thought that I could do better then Gladys Boothby. After all, what did she know about Qudditch? I've played it before. For years, I played until I ruined my knee bad enough even the Healers at St.Mungo's couldn't put it all the way together again.
And now I'm ruining my hands to make these brooms. Oh sure, I could probably wrap a little quicker with spells, and sometimes I do. But inevitably, those are the ones that get returned with nasty howlers attached. Nothing worse then getting screamed out by three different howlers at one time. My wife thought I was mad when I did it, but at least then it's all over. Better then having to listen to each in a row.
So here, I am, for the ..*numbers are scratched out* ten years now, breaking my back and my hands to make these brooms, and for every one I make, ten more orders come in. These were meant for Qudditch players, not every fool child who whined or every blastered idiot who wants to show off after too much firewhiskey!
And what thanks do I get? Am I living in a fine manor like the Blacks? Am I able to buy my wife fancy dress robes and take her to parties? No! Because even if I had the money, which I don't, every penny getting sunk back into supplies and ingredients for the everlasting wax, I don't have the time. Every moment I have is spent on these brooms and rather then see an end, I only see it growing more and more.
And no one helps! My wife does a little, she handles the charm work, but other then that, no. My oldest done ran off first chance he got, off breaking curses in China or Indonesia or wherever they done sent him to. My brother, he says he handles the finances, but I think that's a load of doxy wings. All he does is pass me orders and gets my supplies. I wouldn't be surprised if he's spent some of that 'finances' on his latest flame. Don't think I haven't noticed that pretty necklace she's been wearing lately.
*a long slash of ink is shown here, the paper nearly torn around the next bit of words.*
I have HAD IT! I QUIT! IF SAXTON THINKS HE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER, LET HIM! I'M DONE WITH STRAW AND WOOD AND WAX AND CUSHION CHARMS!
*the rest of the diary entry is torn, though records show that Leonard Jewkes and his wife had suddenly moved to Italy for Marietta's health. Though the above entry casts doubts on such reasons.
- Lavinia Rookwood, la1060, Ravenclaw
I've been at this for too many years it feels like. I didn't think, when I decided to try my hand at making a broomstick of my own, it would turn into this. I had thought that I could do better then Gladys Boothby. After all, what did she know about Qudditch? I've played it before. For years, I played until I ruined my knee bad enough even the Healers at St.Mungo's couldn't put it all the way together again.
And now I'm ruining my hands to make these brooms. Oh sure, I could probably wrap a little quicker with spells, and sometimes I do. But inevitably, those are the ones that get returned with nasty howlers attached. Nothing worse then getting screamed out by three different howlers at one time. My wife thought I was mad when I did it, but at least then it's all over. Better then having to listen to each in a row.
So here, I am, for the ..*numbers are scratched out* ten years now, breaking my back and my hands to make these brooms, and for every one I make, ten more orders come in. These were meant for Qudditch players, not every fool child who whined or every blastered idiot who wants to show off after too much firewhiskey!
And what thanks do I get? Am I living in a fine manor like the Blacks? Am I able to buy my wife fancy dress robes and take her to parties? No! Because even if I had the money, which I don't, every penny getting sunk back into supplies and ingredients for the everlasting wax, I don't have the time. Every moment I have is spent on these brooms and rather then see an end, I only see it growing more and more.
And no one helps! My wife does a little, she handles the charm work, but other then that, no. My oldest done ran off first chance he got, off breaking curses in China or Indonesia or wherever they done sent him to. My brother, he says he handles the finances, but I think that's a load of doxy wings. All he does is pass me orders and gets my supplies. I wouldn't be surprised if he's spent some of that 'finances' on his latest flame. Don't think I haven't noticed that pretty necklace she's been wearing lately.
*a long slash of ink is shown here, the paper nearly torn around the next bit of words.*
I have HAD IT! I QUIT! IF SAXTON THINKS HE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER, LET HIM! I'M DONE WITH STRAW AND WOOD AND WAX AND CUSHION CHARMS!
*the rest of the diary entry is torn, though records show that Leonard Jewkes and his wife had suddenly moved to Italy for Marietta's health. Though the above entry casts doubts on such reasons.
- Lavinia Rookwood, la1060, Ravenclaw
EC - ART
Here is my image highlighting both the banning of flying carpets as spearheaded by Arthur Weasley as well as the flight of Jocunda Sykes across the Atlantic on the Oakshaft 79 in 1935. Let me start by saying I greatly admire Ms. Sykes' accomplishment, thus why I chose to illustrate her, but I also wanted to point out the unfair practice of the ban placed by the Ministry against flying carpets. This really struck a nerve in me, thus I felt duly compelled to make it a part of my graphic. It was certainly not meant as a slight against Ms. Sykes at all, as she is a personal hero of mine, but I do feel it warranted mentioning. The more people I can convince of the wrongness of it, perhaps the sooner the danged law can be changed! Lobbying is a good thing, you know. Even his own daughter-in-law, Hermione Weasley, would have been in danger of being arrested had she been caught by dear old Papa Weasley on her little outing (picture courtesy of Ron who couldn't resist; he was so taken by the lovely vision).
- Ariella McManus, ar1107, Ravenclaw
- Ariella McManus, ar1107, Ravenclaw
My graphic is meant to be an old time photo of Leonard Jewkes, inventor of the Silver Arrow broomstick, hard at work at trying to keep up supplies. You can see him at work, tying a broom together, while behind him is a stand of brooms already made, possibly waiting for charms to be cast. I wanted to show the hard work he had to put in, as well as make an image that would work with my other part of my extra credit, which is a journal entry from him on his last day working on the Silver Arrow.
- Lavinia Rookwood, la1060, Ravenclaw
- Lavinia Rookwood, la1060, Ravenclaw