How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"Trivial hurts, tiny human accidents," said Firenze, as his hooves thudded over the mossy floor. "These are of no more significance than the scurrying of ants to the wide universe, and are unaffected by planetary movements."
"Professor Trelawney —" began Parvati, in a hurt and indignant voice.
"— is a human," said Firenze simply. "And is therefore blinkered and fettered by the limitations of your kind." (27.45-47)
Firenze is pretty much the only magical creature we have met in the series so far who (a) does not totally hate humans, though most of his herd does, but who also (b) thinks that we are foolish and beneath centaur wisdom. The house-elves we've met in these novels really do look up to us, much as the fountain in front of the Ministry of Magic portrays. But the centaurs have a much different, more patronizing view. Why do you think Firenze has chosen to join Dumbledore? What characteristics do centaurs seem to have as a group? What kinds of belief systems do they adopt? How are their beliefs different from those of humans? How might their culture be incompatible with human culture? And how might it overlap – what do we share in common?