[HPforGrownups] HP morally questionable? Discuss...

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 17031

Rebecca wrote:

>1.  Is it true that "in each of the stories" evil would not be defeated
>unless Harry broke school rules and/or told lies?
>
>2.  Does Dumbledore really "overlook Harry's misconduct," as charged?
>
>My personal response would be "no" to both questions.

1.  I can't think that Harry broke any school rules to defeat V in GoF, 
unless you count the blatant cheating, encouraged by authority figures, 
throughout the tournament.  But that was not directly connected with V, and 
was part of the increasing moral complexity of Harry's world.

2.  Dumbledore knows what to overlook and when.  For instance, I think he 
knows perfectly well that some of the Slytherins are not joining in the 
toast to Cedric Diggory in the leaving feast, but also knows this is not the 
time for a confrontation.

My personal response to the points raised in the article is "so what?"  Show 
me a classic of children's (or any other) literature where our hero or 
heroine wins out by trusting adults to make all the decisions, strict 
adherence to rules and regulations and never, ever conceals anything and 
I'll show you a *very* dull book.

Even Little Women (one of the preachiest books ever written - and still 
actually read) contains this immortal exchange:
Amy: I hate unladylike behaviour.
Jo: And I hate affected, niminy-piminy chits!
Way to go, Jo.

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