I was reading http://lapensine.com(French) and I came across this topic http://lapensine.com/chewing_gum.shtml
It's about the Longbottoms...this is a theory about the gum that they are always eating and the fact that they forget things(I don't know what is sortilège d'Oubliette in English).
Anyway they are saying that maybe they forget things because of the gum?Maybe someone don't want them to remember some things.They were Aurors so maybe the DeathEaters sare happy without them.And Lucius had made some donation to the hospital...
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK OF THAT?
If I remember they've been tortured so why did they forget everything?And now we know that lots of things can be given to the people in the hospital (the plant).
Full Version: a Longbottom's theory
They had the cruciatus (spelling?) used on them which kind of scrambles their brains. And they wanted to get right inside their heads to find out information so they had to use it lots and it screwed them up. As for the gum, I think it's just something they like doing.
Oh ok. :oops: I didn't know that.
TriadOfDarkness, I think the gum has a much bigger significance rather than something they like to do. The gum must have a big part in later books. Maybe Neville's parents are trying to tell Neville something. I don't know.. it just seems like one of JKR's subtle clues.
| QUOTE |
| TriadOfDarkness, I think the gum has a much bigger significance rather than something they like to do. The gum must have a big part in later books. Maybe Neville's parents are trying to tell Neville something. I don't know.. it just seems like one of JKR's subtle clues. |
GOT IT!!!
"Keep on chewing son.....no matter what happens."
Ohh....some people who think deep will understand what I'm trying to say.
*screws up face in concentration*
"Keep on chewing son.....no matter what happens." <<Was that in the book?
I have no idea what you're talking about lol. Well I have a vague idea, but ... nahh. Care to enlighten us?
:wink:
"Keep on chewing son.....no matter what happens." <<Was that in the book?
I have no idea what you're talking about lol. Well I have a vague idea, but ... nahh. Care to enlighten us?
:wink:
"Keep on Chewing" could be like "Keep on trying....."
Maybe, since Neville is supposed to have lovely, fluffy and puffy cheeks, he used to chew gum.....when he was 1. LOL, nevermind on the cheek thing. But I think the bubblegum wrappers are just supposed to mean "Keep on Trying..." or something like that. I dunno.
Maybe, since Neville is supposed to have lovely, fluffy and puffy cheeks, he used to chew gum.....when he was 1. LOL, nevermind on the cheek thing. But I think the bubblegum wrappers are just supposed to mean "Keep on Trying..." or something like that. I dunno.
That could be it! Maybe it has multiple meanings? I don't know. I just seem to think it has a much deeper meaning. Maybe something to do with the name? Drooble's Best Blowing Gum. Or maybe it's the shape of the wrapper when Neville's parents hand it to him (a little farfetched, but you get what I'm searching for).
Maybe the gum is tempererd with and sent as a gift. It keeps them from remembering. How do they get so much gum? I want to know who they talk to about hooking them up, i could do with that....nah maybe someone messes with it so they won't remember.
That could be it, but JKR said they were tortured into insanity. But yeah, maybe the gum could keep them insane. But there is something significant about it. Do you think we'll find out about it in the next book?
Or maybe they're trying to send a messege through the gum wrappers, like a clue. I suppose that'd it be hard to try to send a clue if you were as insane as they appear to be, though.
That's what I was thinking Patronus. I thought that they were trying to tell Neville something. Even if they're insane, surely they have some shred of sanity? Maybe this is the only way they can communicate with him.
Maybe that is why he keeps em.
I don't think Neville knows they are trying to tell him something. Surely he'd be smart enough to tell someone like Dumbledore. But then again, this is Neville we're talking about. 
And I'm not so sure he has a great relationship with Dumbledore like Harry does.
I think he keeps it because it's something from his parents. I mean, if I were in that situation, I'd want to keep every memory of them.
Poor Neville...
And I'm not so sure he has a great relationship with Dumbledore like Harry does.
I think he keeps it because it's something from his parents. I mean, if I were in that situation, I'd want to keep every memory of them.
Poor Neville...
The gum wrappers are basically all he has from them, aren't they? His mother is said not to recognize him, but she does give him gum wrappers, so I suppose that little bit of recognition (sp?) means a lot to him. Maybe the gum-wrappers are just a shred of hope to him that they realize he is their son.
Has anyone notice that Drooble's Best Blowing Gum is an anagram of gold bribe below St Mungo's. I think that this is just a little thing JK threw in to describe how Lucius Malfoy is worming his way into the MoM because Fudge has mentioned that he gives generously to the hospital and this is clearly so he can get into Fudge's good-books.
That has been mentioned before, but it doesn't seem intentional to me, although that is a very good explanation for it.
I think this could be a case of trying to read more into what's there then what really is. Look at it this way...
Neville's parents are in a state which could be compared to extreme alzheimers. (sp). They aren't "brain dead" in that they are able to walk, and eat and such, but they have no recognition of people, including their own son.
Neville's mother, perhaps, though, does catch glimpses of "lucidity." She realizes that Neville is a "someone" (who, she doesn't really know) and that she should give him "something" (things a mother would give to a son). Her mind, however, translates it to "gum wrappers."
Neville keeps them, because it's SOMETHING from mom.
Neville's parents are in a state which could be compared to extreme alzheimers. (sp). They aren't "brain dead" in that they are able to walk, and eat and such, but they have no recognition of people, including their own son.
Neville's mother, perhaps, though, does catch glimpses of "lucidity." She realizes that Neville is a "someone" (who, she doesn't really know) and that she should give him "something" (things a mother would give to a son). Her mind, however, translates it to "gum wrappers."
Neville keeps them, because it's SOMETHING from mom.
Hah that is a really old topic 
Anyway I think a lots of weird things are going on at this hospital since they didn't realized that they gave a really bad plant to one of their patient and an 11 years old girl (Hermione) knew in PS/SS that it was a Devil Snare.
Anyway I think a lots of weird things are going on at this hospital since they didn't realized that they gave a really bad plant to one of their patient and an 11 years old girl (Hermione) knew in PS/SS that it was a Devil Snare.
| QUOTE |
| I think this could be a case of trying to read more into what's there then what really is. Look at it this way... Neville's parents are in a state which could be compared to extreme alzheimers. (sp). They aren't "brain dead" in that they are able to walk, and eat and such, but they have no recognition of people, including their own son. |
I completely agree. How would bubble gum keep them insane anyway, and what would be the motive behind it. They were only tortured because it was believed that they knew something of Voldemorts where abouts, which they obviously didn't, so if they could be cured there would be no substantial reason not to allow them to. If DE's think that they know something then they would want them sane enough to tell them and nurses and doctors want them better cause it's just breaks their hearts to see the way Neville interacts with them. or maybe that's just me
Anyway I just don't see the Longbottoms being consious of their actions and of course Nevilles going to keep the wrappers. It's the only thing he has from them. *sniff* now i'm getting all depressig 
| QUOTE |
| I completely agree. How would bubble gum keep them insane anyway, and what would be the motive behind it. They were only tortured because it was believed that they knew something of Voldemorts where abouts, which they obviously didn't, so if they could be cured there would be no substantial reason not to allow them to. If DE's think that they know something then they would want them sane enough to tell them and nurses and doctors want them better cause it's just breaks their hearts to see the way Neville interacts with them. |
Well... there is the possibility that the Longbottom's know something that the DEs don't want anyone else to know... so they'd obviously want to be keeping them quiet about it, though if that were the case, I would think it would be much easier to have them killed than keep them simply incapacitated for such a long period of time... and for that reason, I don't really think it's what they know...
In all honesty, I'm wondering if perhaps the whole reason they are being kept alive and in the state they are in (if they are purposely being kept that way, that is) is because of Neville.
I mean, if his parents were to die... he'd be able to move on, would he not? He wouldn't have to go see them all the time... see them in such a sorry, weakened state... and feel constantly horrible about it. Maybe, just maybe... someone is trying to keep Neville down and out of the way?
Neville has to live with the realization that his parents were taken down so brutally by the Dark Lord... he has to see them, spend time with them, knowing that they don't even really know who he is... this makes him feel very little, really, does it not? Maybe his parents are kept that way so that Neville will continue to feel belittled... and not strive to reach his full potential...
i see some proof in the theory on the gum keeping them from remembering because maybe since bode(i think it was him)cant chew gum they had to find a way to kill him before he got better, he wasnt in good enough condition to be able to chew gum....just a random thought though
MOD EDIT : Hello there, welcome to the forums!! I'd like to ask for a few minutes of your time to head on over to our forums rules over here. The use of netspeak is not allowed. It should have been "though" instead of "tho". If you've any further questions do send any one of us mods a PM. Your post has been edited.
MOD EDIT : Hello there, welcome to the forums!! I'd like to ask for a few minutes of your time to head on over to our forums rules over here. The use of netspeak is not allowed. It should have been "though" instead of "tho". If you've any further questions do send any one of us mods a PM. Your post has been edited.
I posted this in book six as well but I think its more suited for here...anyway here it is..I think there is more to Neville's parents than what we see...Everytime Neville goes to see them his mom gives him a gum wrapper..he does not throw out these wrappers (that we know of) could they possibly be holding small messages in some sort of code...maybe his parents arent AS damaged by the crustacius curse as they seemed..maybe they are doing secret work for the ministry inside St.Mungo's and passing on viable information to Neville...But maybe they are just damaged beyond repair and I am looking too deep into this...Let me know what you all think
very good but i think that they are just a way of communicating or a deeper hidden secret not that they are stoping them remember.
Are they really insane? Or just pretending? Because well.. if youre insane it is really hard to know whats going on and well.. give clues to their son. Hmmm. Im not sure though.
I read this ENTIRE! thread! hahaha. ok, my turn to post. 
Everyone has points. I particularly liked the one about "gold bribe below St Mungo's" posted by Shuntpike. That was an excellent find. I had always wondered why Drooble's Gum had such a strange name: it's long, "Drooble's" is a sort of odd sounding word...ect. Well, if we were wondering whether it was an accident, I think "Tom Marvelo Riddle" "I am Lord Voldemort" can pursuade our opinion.
So, Lucius Malfoy is acting fishy. Is it possible he's giving the hospital money in return for keeping the Longbottom's insane? I don't think so. But maybe he's building up the trust of the hospital. As an important donator Lucius has a certain amount of influence upon the hospital that may let him have more free access to the building, maybe asking for special care for certain patients there.
I doubt the gum is keeping the Longbottoms insane, but it could be keeping them SANE, keeping their minds off the memories of the past. As for Lucius giving it to them, sounds unlikely. I'dd guess he need the hospital for other things...... unless he was the death eater to preform the curse on Neville's parents. To discover that would mean Azkaban.
Everyone has points. I particularly liked the one about "gold bribe below St Mungo's" posted by Shuntpike. That was an excellent find. I had always wondered why Drooble's Gum had such a strange name: it's long, "Drooble's" is a sort of odd sounding word...ect. Well, if we were wondering whether it was an accident, I think "Tom Marvelo Riddle" "I am Lord Voldemort" can pursuade our opinion.
So, Lucius Malfoy is acting fishy. Is it possible he's giving the hospital money in return for keeping the Longbottom's insane? I don't think so. But maybe he's building up the trust of the hospital. As an important donator Lucius has a certain amount of influence upon the hospital that may let him have more free access to the building, maybe asking for special care for certain patients there.
I doubt the gum is keeping the Longbottoms insane, but it could be keeping them SANE, keeping their minds off the memories of the past. As for Lucius giving it to them, sounds unlikely. I'dd guess he need the hospital for other things...... unless he was the death eater to preform the curse on Neville's parents. To discover that would mean Azkaban.
I may have replied to this topic before, but I don't remember quite what I said, so, in case I didn't here goes, otherwise just ignore this.I believe Neville's folks just give him the gum wrappers, which he treasures as the only present they can give him. I don't know as there is anything manevolent in the gum they are chewing, as how can anything be worse than the living death they suffer now, to say nothing of Neville's suffering to see them that way. It doesn't surprise me that they are in such bad mental condition, considering that they were subjected to the worst possible pain probably a long time;no wonder their brains are fried. 
I disagree. They were both tortured by death eaters into insanity. Since it was an unforgiveable curse, they the most powerful, they would never be able to heal and would reamin scrambled till they die. the gum was just that gum. Even insane people like to do things.They liked gum.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.