Ron Week - NOW We're Talking!!!

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 16197

Hmmm... I would say, as far as character development goes, we know a 
lot less about Dumbledore than we do about Ron.  I find him not only 
well developed, but a very real 14 year old boy who is prone to mood 
swings, feelings of inferiority, being tongue-tied around pretty 
girls, and fighting to be heard in a large family.

I noticed something about Ron that I think is very clever on the part 
of JKR: whenever a snide remark is made, it is always Ron who says it 
out loud.  We often read Harry's thoughts, but he rarely says 
emotional, biting, or extremely clever things out loud.  That seems to 
be Ron's job.  He is the one who can sometimes verbalize what Harry 
doesn't have the nerve to say, or what we as the readers wish we could 
say but for obvious reasons cannot.  Therefore, Ron is also open to 
attack by us, Hermione, Professor Trelawney, Percy...

I understand why people say Ron has a mean streak - he certainly does.  
I also think that Ron is fairly up front with his feelings, and is 
always trying to communicate, even though he doesn't always do it 
well.  He does come from a loving family, even if he tends to 
occasionally get lost in the shuffle (I think Ginny has it worse, by 
the way), and knows he will be forgiven for misbehaving or having a 
bad attitude once in a while.  

As far as plot development goes, we all know the Weasleys are an 
excellent source of wizard information for Harry, a symbol of 
tolerance and open mindedness, and a place for Harry to see what a 
real and good family is like, wizard or muggle.

'Nuff said.

--Je