[HPforGrownups] 7 Heavenly Virtues: Faith (Long)

[lrcjestes]

No: HPFGUIDX 3531


>
> Once Lupin and Sirius finally face each other--and Peter--in the Shack,
> they each must decide whether to trust again, to have faith again.
> Lupin does, stepping forward to embrace Sirius like a brother,
> reclaiming their old relationship of trust.  And then, together with
> Harry, he convinces Sirius to believe, to trust, that he, too, can have
> a true, faith-based life again--not a orgy of rage, despair and revenge,
> ending with his murdering Peter, but a real one, rooted in his rightful
> place in the magical world, where he can relinquish Peter to society's
> justice, and concentrate instead on reclaiming his role as godfather,
> providing a home for his spiritual son, Harry.

This is a very interesting take on this scene and I guess I never thought of
it in this light before.  It provides a very logical explanation of the
difference we see in Sirius' personality between PoA and GoF.  There was a
discussion (I'm summarizing for the FAQ on Sirius...thats the main reason I
remember the discussion) that centered around the fact that Sirius seemed so
angry and vengeful in PoA and yet more the caring godfather in GoF.  Some
felt it was a larger dichotomy than others, but the general conclusion was
that his trip to whatever tropical locale helped enormously.  However, your
discussion of a regaining of faith seems much more substantial.

> Indeed--how can faith survive in times like these?
>
> And conversely, how can one survive without it?
> You simply have to embrace it.  Walk toward it.  Don't stop and don't be
> scared, that's very important.  Best do it at a bit of a run if you're
> nervous.  Go on.
>
> Go now.

Ahhh, If we all could be that full of faith......

carole