Harry's ethics and behavior

[naama_gat at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 18029

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., dragonsbloodmoon at a... wrote:
> In a message dated 4/29/2001 3:02:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
> lj2d30 at g... writes:
> 
> > > 3. Harry consistently breaks school rules and lies to, well, 
just 
> >  > about everyone whnever it is convenient. 
> >  
> >  Are you familiar with Harry's pre-Hogwarts background?  He was 
for 10 
> >  years *locked in a cupboard under the stairs* and mistreated by 
his 
> >  uncle, aunt, and cousin.  He had no toys, no clothes that fit, 
never 
> >  given enough to eat,  was beaten up regularly by his cousin 
Dudley, 
> >  never encouraged to trust or ask questions about anything. He is 
not 
> >  a very trusting person, especially when it comes to authority 
> >  figures.  He does things on his own as a result of this 
upbringing.  
> >  In GoF he has demonstrated more trust of adults, thanks to the 
> >  kindness of the Weasleys and the trust of Dumbledore. 
> 
> I have to agree with your answer, Trinia, but let me offer this as 
well....
> 
> You have to keep in mind that the Harry Potter books are first and 
foremost a 
> medium of entertainment. A child who lives strictly by the rules, 
and never 
> has any adventures would be a boring child to read about. Could you 
imagine 
> reading a book series about Percy Weasly's days at Hogwarts? BOR-
ING! Instead 
> of having meaningful chapters like the House Elf Liberation Front 
in GoF, 
> you'd have "Harry, Ron and Hermione Do Their Homework." YAWN. No 
thanks.
> 

I think that's the best retort to the attacks made against HP on 
moral grounds. You are so right - the books are for fun!! Why SHOULD 
a fun book be expected to teach morals? It's such a sanctimonious, 
kill-joy kind of attitude! Do you remember the Duchess in Alice? 

"'You're thinking about something, my dear, and that makes you
forget to talk.  I can't tell you just now what the moral of that
is, but I shall remember it in a bit.'

  `Perhaps it hasn't one,' Alice ventured to remark.

  `Tut, tut, child!' said the Duchess.  `Everything's got a
moral, if only you can find it.'" 

Begone victorianisms!!

Naama, who never needs much of an excuse to quote from Alice..  

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flamingoes and mustard both bite.  And the moral of that is--"Birds 
of a feather flock together." (Alice in Wonderland)
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