"Lack of Remorse"

[plinsenmayer]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C6914
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: RE: "Lack of Remorse"
Date: 8/15/00 4:02 pm  (ET)

Hi:

Mayacloud wrote: <<>>>... kids all of a sudden showing lack of remorse
(e.g. Hermione and the bug in the jar, the kids stepping over another
kid in the hallway...)>><<<

Heidi responded: <<(a) it's not a lack of remorse that causes her to keep
Rita the Skeeter in a jar - she does it to prevent Rita from publishing
more falsehoods in the paper at such a terrible time (i.e. after the
Triwizard Cup finale, and the
description Rita heard of what happened to Harry in the cemetary) -
Rita's got air, and food enough for a fat little beetle, and Hermione
has promised to let her out once they're back in London. That's not lack
of remorse - that's helping friends!>>>

I agree completely with Heidi, and I'd add that while Hermione is getting
some personal revenge against Rita Skeeter (for herself and her friends,
particularly Harry), she's doing so for what I would term "noble"
reasons. She's taking a stand against irresponsible journalism. Rita's
not being mistreated as Heidi pointed out, and Hermione's merely trying
to drive home her point with Rita. I didn't at all see that scene as a
demonstration of "lack of remorse" on Hermione's part.

Heidi wrote: <<<(b) <snip> but don't forget that Malfoy had just been
advocating killing "muggle-lovers and mudbloods" and was perfectly chipper
about Cedric's death.>>>

There will be 2 definite camps within the wizarding world again, starting
with Book 5. This just demonstrates clearly to us the readers that Harry &
his friends will have to make choices & take a stand against evil. Like
Heidi, I don't think advocating violence as a solution to all problems is
a good route. But, the actions & statements of Malfoy & his cronies go
beyond mere schoolyard taunting -- he's advocating elimination (murder)
of an entire class of people.

Penny