[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: The morality question

[jrober4 at bellsouth.net]

bboy_mn:
Harry is not a saint. He's a little kid with very poor upbringing,
poor role models, limited socialization, generally abused who, on the
whole, is far better behaved than the average kid, and has far better
moral character than most of the kids who will read these books. Lying
is rarely shown without consequences or guilt. 


Me:
You make some excellent points --not only here, but throughout your post -- which have given me some more things to think about.  There are so many ways to practice one's morality, depending on your religious beliefs, and I am coming to realize that the practical way to go is to find the right balance between what you believe and how you practice it.  I hope I didn't given the impression that I was a saint or thought I should be one, as that would be an impossible task for me.  And I apologize if I came across as "self-righteous".  You are correct in saying that it's about right and wrong . . . but you will get a *lot* of arguments in this world about what that means, LOL.  

Would there have been a happy ending in each book if Harry has just gone straight to Dumbledore about everything?  I don't know.  I remember reading somewhere that Dumbledore was trying to give the students the opportunity to make decisions on their own about situations they face. or something along that line, and so having Harry, Ron and Hermione do what they did was actually a learnign experience for them.  There is no question that they are the good guys, even if they have used what some would term questionable methods to bring about a happy ending.  Obviously, I have been presumptuous in some of my conclusions and need to give more thought before "shooting my mouth off" about certain things . . . as well as listening to other voices on the matter, as I am doing here.

What really *grabbed* about the SS movie first, and then the books, was Harry Potter, himself.  I was sympathetic with him from the beginning, and he is what keeps me reading with great enthusiasm.  I understand how he feels somewhat, as I grew up in an emotionally abusive situation, myself, though what I was subjected to was  more subtle (and thus milder, perhaps) than what the Dursleys do to Harry.  Harry is blessed, indeed, that he had the personality to "blossom" wonderfully in the Hogwart's atmosphere.  There were those -- like myself -- who have not been so fortunate.  It wasn't until I met the most wonderful man in the world three months ago that I began to "blossom" that way.  Perhaps it's not a coincidence that this is when I discovered Harry Potter.  Who knows?  <grin>    

Thank you for not "jumping all over me" -- your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.  

Judy




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