[HPforGrownups] Ron's stubbornness

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 16327

Lisa wrote:
>I was the one who said:  "The boy can't admit he's wrong to save his
>life." <snip> And, after
>all, it isn't a very rare failing is it?  I have it myself.  :)

I really like this posting as it brings out a major role of Ron - to share 
our human failings.  We can't be sure *we* would always behave as well as 
Harry, but we can hope we would do at least as well as Ron. After all, who 
*hasn't*, at *some* time in their lives, made someone they loved miserable 
because they are miserable themselves, and taken a miserable satisfaction in 
it?  If Hermione can forgive him, I can.  Incidentally, Harry's comment that 
*he* doesn't have a problem with Hermione's bringing Krum to the Ball is one 
of my cherished funny moments - Harry is *so* missing the point!

Lisa also wrote:
>When, toward the end of PoA, Hermione bursts into tears and throws
>her arms around him--"Oh Ron, I'm really, really sorry about Scabbers-
>-"...he says, "Oh, well, he was old.  And he was a bit useless.  You
>never know, Mum and Dad might get me an owl now."  As a piece of
>fumbling magnanimity this speech is okay and even a little cute, but
>as a substitute for saying, "It's okay, Hermione.  And I'm sorry I
>threatened our friendship over it"--it doesn't wash.

I suppose that *is* what he should say, but most 14 year old English boys 
(and some older ones!) would rather have their guts drawn out by a windlass 
than say something like that.  He is described in the same scene as "looking 
quite terrified" at Hermione's emotional outburst - now that does ring true 
*g*!  Harping on about cultural differences again, but I feel most of the 
characters are going to get a raw deal if judged by American standards of 
emotional openness, admirable as those are :).
>
Like I said, these things really infuriate me about
>Ron, but at the same time they make me ready anytime anywhere to play
>the fight song when he even halfway gets it right.
>
>Speaking of, I wonder if the Houses have fight songs?
>
>Lisa
>
I *love* this! That's what friends are for.  What's a fight song?
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