I agree. I believe it says he was being thrown ten feet in the air -- aren't ferrets generally less than 6" high by 18" long? That's the equivalent of a 5'5" human (lying on the their stomach) being rapidly flung up and down more than 36 feet. Three stories. Repeatedly. Landing full force on solid stone every time.
No, the way it's described isn't at all cartoonish, unlike the attacks on Dudley in SS and GoF. And Malfoy and co's reactions aren't at all cartoonish, unlike the Dursleys'. Yet Ron calls it "the best moment of my life." Harry apparently agrees it's hilarious. Hermione is a bit worried, but gets over it quickly and repeatedly brings it up to taunt Malfoy. And there's little doubt in my mind that we, the readers, are supposed to think it's incredibly funny. Thinking about it more, this disconnect between showing it seriously, but planning it as humor, may be the most disturbing thing about it.
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Date: 2004-11-19 09:00 pm (UTC)No, the way it's described isn't at all cartoonish, unlike the attacks on Dudley in SS and GoF. And Malfoy and co's reactions aren't at all cartoonish, unlike the Dursleys'. Yet Ron calls it "the best moment of my life." Harry apparently agrees it's hilarious. Hermione is a bit worried, but gets over it quickly and repeatedly brings it up to taunt Malfoy. And there's little doubt in my mind that we, the readers, are supposed to think it's incredibly funny. Thinking about it more, this disconnect between showing it seriously, but planning it as humor, may be the most disturbing thing about it.