Ron Week - NOW We're Talking!!!

[morine10 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 16189

Woohoo!  Ron week, we are happy now aren't we Cap'n Kathy?!

> Ron is arguably the least developed of the Hogwarts three, but he 
> plays an important role in supplying H&H with critical information 
> because of his Wizarding background.  As late as the 4th book he is 
> still filling-in background information that Harry & Hermione didn't 
> know because they were muggle-raised (info about giants; attitudes of 
> house elves).  Here are a few more questions to help keep things 
> going during Ron Week:
> 

I would argue that Ron is one of the most developed characters in the book.  
He is one of Harry's two best friends - and we have learned a lot about him.  
He may be a little less mature than Hermione, but he's a boy.  He needs time. 
;)

> A. The ability to play chess well indicates a high native intellect, 
> the ability to think strategically, and the ability to consider a 
> large number of simultaneous threats.  Good chess players are 
> frequently good in science and mathematics.  How has Ron demonstrated 
> his native ability in areas other than the chess board?  
> 

Perhaps he will make the Quidditch team and take over where Oliver left off. 
Perhaps he will play a key role in the strategy that is used to defeat 
Voldemort once and for all.  

We saw some of his logical thinking is PS/SS when he correctly deduces that 
the enchanted flying key would be silver - like the lock.  As far as science 
or mathematics, we don't really know.  It may be that he is very good in 
these classes.  We do know that he is meticulous when cutting his ingredients 
in Potions class (POA - he has to give his to Malfoy) so perhaps he's very 
good in what seems to be the wizard equivalent to chemistry.  I do think that 
Ron is smarter than many give him credit for.  Not many 11 year olds can 
consistently win at chess the way he does.  That commands a higher level of 
thinking that the majority of children that age do not possess.  


> B. Is Ron suffering from depression?  There are a number of clues, 
> including his bouts of low self-esteem, jealousy of Harry and 
> Hermione, and poor performance in his school work (despite his high 
> intellect, noted above).  

I don't think that Ron is suffering from full-blown adolescent depression.  
Although everyone at one time or another can become depressed, I feel that he 
is just going through normal adolescent turmoil.  As far as his grades, I'm 
going to argue that we don't know that Ron (or Harry for that matter) has 
performed poorly in school.  For all we know he could be second only to 
Hermione in their year.  ;)  Hermione does push them to study, and I'm sure 
that it helps.  Perhaps Ron recognizes that being top student is Hermione's 
spotlight and therefore he backs off.  Now I'm not saying that he is a better 
student than her, but maybe he just doesn't say much about or draw much 
attention to his grades.  Some people are not competitive in that arena and 
Ron may be one of those people.  

> How might this play out in later books -- i.e., is Ron a 
> candidate to become a DE?
> 

I have very strong opinions on this.  I know that some people think that Ron, 
with his adolescent insecurities, may become an unwitting pawn for the dark 
side.  Of course I wholeheartedly disagree.  Ron has shown steadfast loyalty 
to his friends, family, and pets.  It is my opinion that someone who is sick 
with pain, standing on a broken leg while declaring "You'll have to kill all 
three of us!" is not someone that will be easily swayed toward betraying his 
friends.  IMO, if outright propositioned with, "Money for your friends." Ron 
will not do it for any amount.  I also argue that he is much to smart to be 
tricked or fooled into betraying them.  


> C. What does Ron's position in the family have to do with his actions 
> and attitudes?  Does Ron show any classic "middle child" behaviors in 
> canon?
> 

This is arguable, but I feel that Percy displays more of the typical "middle 
child syndrome" than Ron does.  Percy is an overachiever which is a typical 
attribute.  Also, middle children can sometimes feel alienated from other 
siblings.  I don't think that Ron feels this way as often as Percy does.


> D. Although Ron is a rabid Quidditch fan, he has not yet made the 
> Gryffindor team.  How has Harry's success (in his first year!) 
> affected their relationship?  Would it be a good thing for their 
> relationship if Ron finally made the team?
> 

I don't think I've ever noticed Ron feeling jealous over Harry's Quidditch 
abilities.  Being the rabid Quidditch fan that he is, I think that Ron 
recognizes Harry's remarkable ability as a Seeker.  Since Harry has never 
remarked on Ron's abilities it could go either way - he could be remarkable, 
or he could truly stink.  Ron's natural talent at chess does hint at him 
becoming a good Keeper and I do think that he may have some Oliver Wood 
'tendencies'.  Maybe he will lead Gryffindor to their next Quidditch Cup - 
maybe he'll continue cheering from the stands.  We'll have to wait for Book 5 
to find out. :)  


> E. Once Gred and Forge leave Hogwarts in Ron's sixth year, Ron will 
> be the Senior Weasley at Hogwarts. How might this change his 
> behaviors?
> 

I'm a big advocate of the 'Ron will become a Prefect' theory.  As we know JKR 
likes to drop hints and Ron's brother's have remarked (albeit jokingly) that 
he would make an excellent Prefect/Head Boy.  Ron also, IMO, is much more 
like Hermione than Harry in regard to rule breaking.  When Harry is gung-ho 
ready to run out the door, Ron is sometimes hesitant.  He's much more 
inclined to think things through, I think, than Harry.  What really will 
decide whether or not Ron becomes a Prefect (or perhaps Head Boy :) is how 
they actually determine who becomes one.  Do they pick some people, like 
Hermione, because they are naturals for the position?  Perhaps they pick some 
people, like Ron, who if given the position would most definitely rise to the 
occasion.  I must say that I do think that Ron would make an excellent 
Prefect. :)

I truly believe that we will see great things from Ron Weasley.  It's only a 
matter of time!

~Moey
First Mate of the GS R/H, resident of Sugar Quill Island, and
Card carrying member of W.A.I.L.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?" 
        -Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire




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