Ego and Id (was re: Peeves' function in the story)

[Brandgwen G.]

No: HPFGUIDX 5586

NB: Speculation in regards to Peeves and the Baron and more toward
the end. I have previously submitted these theories before on another 
list, so I do hope that those who have already heard them will
forgive my repetition, and allow their attention to wander freely...

Flying Ford Anglia wrote:
>So, how about it: is Peeves Dumbledore's inner teenager let loose on 
the unsuspecting students?

Sam Brown wrote:
>I'm convinced that Peeves will have a crucial role in the upcoming 
books based on the information in PS/SS: He's only scared/able to be 
controlled br the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin ghost.

I very much like the idea of Peeves being the manifestation of 
someone's id.  It seems to me that his character is only half formed. 
 He completely lacks that part of a personality responsible the 
self-restraint.

I have an alternative theory, which takes into account the Bloody 
Baron's influence over Peeves.

The Bloody Baron has silver bloodstains on his robes.  We don't know 
how they got there, but the only animal we know of with silver blood 
in the unicorn.  As Firenze the centaur said in the Philosopher's 
Stone, "...The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you an 
are inch from death, but at a terrible price.  You have slain 
something pure and defenceless to save yourself and you will have but 
a half life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your 
lips."  

What if the Bloody Baron was attempting to make an elixir of life?  
Obviously, it didn't work - he's dead - but perhaps he encountered 
something with magic more powerful than the unicorn's, or killed 
himself.  When he drank the blood, that part of him capable of fun
was torn away.  The result was the sad, dour person described in the 
books... with part of his personality is gone, the Baron is doomed to 
a "half life".  The annoying off shoot is Peeves, who does what he 
likes, having no self discipline.  His self discipline resides in the 
Baron.

What is his function in the book?  As someone has already pointed
out, JKR seems to like moderation.  She allows Harry to get away with 
a lot, but every now and then drives home just how stupid and 
dangerous his actions can be.  This is particularly true in the 
Prisoner of Azkaban.  After he is caught with the Map, having been to 
Hogsmead, both Snape and Lupin tell Harry off for his arrogance and 
thoughtlessness.  And they're right, but, when made to realise this, 
Harry is sorry.  He learns from it.  Peeves doesn't think about his 
actions.  By creating an antagonistic character of pure mischief, JKR 
sends the message that rule-breaking, in its own right, is 
unacceptable.  Everyone is accountable for what they do.

This theme also comes up in the Goblet of Fire.  Here, you have two 
characters, Crouch and Bagman, representing two opposite poles.  One 
is completely focused, uncompromising and inflexible.  The other is
an overgrown child, who is still trying to worm his way out of his 
self-afflicted strife.  Through this comparison, both extremes are 
shown to be unfavourable.

It is for this reason that, of all the Weasleys, the ones I would 
expect to end up in death eater trouble are Percy and Fred.  Percy,
as I'm sure has been discussed, tends to lean on the rules too much. 
His faith in his superiors and the system could prevent him from 
exercising his own better judgement, leading him to do things he 
otherwise wouldn't.  

Fred, on the other hand, seems to be completely devoid of better 
judgement, or self-consciousness.  The way he asks Angelina to the 
ball shows how little embarrassment effects him (even if she is a 
friend, how did he know someone else hadn't asked her?).  Throughout 
the series, Fred seems to be the twin quickest off the mark with the 
smart comment, but George seems to be less cruel with his jokes and 
generally more considerate.  In the Goblet of Fire, we see, for the 
first time, Fred and George disagreeing with each other.  Fred is 
insisting on blackmailing Bagman, while George is resisting it.  This 
makes me wonder if that dynamic has always existed between the twins. 
 Both engage in the mischief making, but Fred thinks up the ideas, 
while George makes sure no one kills themselves.  If this is true, it 
is possible Fred has never had to develop that self-restraint most 
people have - George is his ego.  This could prove a major problem,
as it is this little voice of reason, somewhere in the back of your
mind, which allows you to fight the Imperious Curse.

And, of course, if Fred does go Dark Side, there could be a further 
twin problem.  They are identical down to the last freckle, and even 
Molly has trouble telling them apart.  Wouldn't it be interesting if 
the two of them ended up on opposite sides?

Finally, I'd just like to say thanks for the welcome.  You all really 
know how to make an obsessed fan feel at home!
Gwen.