Not Tolerating Intolerance

Goblet of Fire explores the importance of tolerance and pushing for equality. Voldemort represents the worst in the world of bigotry—rejecting half-bloods, muggle-borns and muggles because they are not of “pure” wizard blood. Voldemort’s contempt and disregard for muggles is clearly established in the opening chapter with the murder of Frank. It’s an extremely powerful image — the murder of an innocent old man, and we feel the dangerous weight of Voldemort’s intolerance.

If he can mercilessly kill even the most naïve and defenseless of people, he will stop at nothing to eradicate the world of “unworthy” wizards and muggles alike. Meanwhile, Hermione is pursuing a completely opposite endeavor at Hogwarts: freeing the house-elves from enslavement and pushing for their equality.

There are two competing ideas here: seeing different as inferior (Voldemort’s view of muggles), and seeing different as equal (Hermione’s view of house-elves). But as it stands, both muggles and house-elves are often seen as inferior to witches and wizards. However, in the face of superiority, what’s important is how a person treats their inferiors and what this says about character. According to Sirius, “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

Though Hermione’s stance against intolerance in this book is simply directed toward house-elves, a belief in this kind of equality mirrors the rise against intolerance and evil that will begin as a result of Cedric’s death and the return of Voldemort at the end of this book.

Dangers of Seeking Glory

Additionally, the Triwizard Tournament in book four reveals the dangers of seeking power and glory. It’s obvious why one would want to be the champion: personal glory, glory for your school, riches, and fame. But does it all come at a price? The short answer is yes. Seeking glory can blind and corrupt true character, and we see this happen to Harry. Throughout the tournament, Harry and the other champions tangle with secrets, lies, and cheating, all in hopes of getting a leg up from the other champions.

Though trivial and all in good fun, Harry’s determination to survive the tasks ultimately becomes a determination to win. In the third task, at the cusp of victory, Harry is faced with a choice. Should he let Cedric take the cup? After all, Cedric did get there first, and it was only Cedric’s noble nature and thankfulness for Harry saving him from Krum that Cedric hesitates. And Harry takes advantage of this, inadvertently or not. He becomes momentarily blinded by glory-—“He saw himself holding the Triwizard Cup aloft, heard the roar of the crowd, saw Cho’s face shining with admiration”—-and makes his decision to share the cup even though Cedric was the true champion.

Sure, Barty Crouch, Jr. helped Harry make it to the third task to help ensure Voldemort’s return — but it was ultimately Harry who fell prey to the lure of glory that allowed Voldemort’s plan to succeed. As a result, the innocent Cedric was killed, which spawns some serious guilt within Harry. The dangers of seeking glory are clear: corruption of self, which in turn will only lead to bigger problems that can harm those around us.

The Choice Between Right and Easy

The death of Cedric and the return of Voldemort signify that some seriously dark times lie ahead for the Wizarding world. In light of this, Dumbledore recognizes that individuals will soon have to make some choices, and he says in front of the entire Great Hall: “If the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort.”

Dumbledore’s words here are dripping with double meaning. Being the wise wizard that he is, Dumbledore knows that it’s just a matter of time before peoples’ true character will be revealed: either by following Voldemort, or by rising up against him. Succumbing to Voldemort’s pack of loyal followers is all too easy; he offers security, reverence, power, and even a certain type of fame. On the other hand, facing death in a stand against injustice is much more difficult.

Though the latter is the harder choice, it’s the right choice, making the easy choice the wrong one. In light of the return of the Dark Lord and the death of an innocent life, Dumbledore reminds us of the importance of choosing what’s right over what’s easy.