Non-confrontational Characters (WAS Snape, Trelawney, Lockhart, Skeeter )

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 28944

David wrote:

> By contrast, Lupin's and Dumbledore's meekness is presented as a 
> virtue.  Implicitly, the way Dumbledore responds to Maxime, 
> Karkaroff, and Snape himself in the Goblet of Fire scene, not 
> defending himself or his image, is presented as exemplary.  So the 
> message is, be a Snape rather than a Lockhart, and resist the 
> temptation to grab praise you want so much, but it's better yet to 
> not want it, like Dumbledore, or Lupin, or, of course, Harry.
> 

That's an interesting observation, David.  Many heroes in books and 
movies are take-charge characters.  Confrontational and argumentative 
types who won't submit to the authority of others are commonly 
admired.  In the U.S., at least.  By me, at least.  

Two quick examples (not to get OT or anything) would be Star Trek 
captains and Star Wars characters who will blatantly and openly 
disregard orders from headquarters immediately if they see fit.  

Dumbledore, however, generally submits to authority (or at least 
recognizes the limits of what he can accomplish) and, at most works 
behind the scenes.  This changes in GoF, of course, but even then, 
Dumbledore is careful to keep most of his activities covert.

On the other hand, some of the HP characters are the exact opposite 
of confrontational.  In addition to Dumbledore and Lupin, there is 
also Harry himself, who doesn't toot his own horn, submits to 
authority, doesn't pick fights, and generally doesn't attempt to grab 
power or attention.  

In contrast, a strong and forceful character like Sirius has his 
detractors, even though he isn't mean-spirited like Snape.  People 
tend to be put off by his, um, forceful personality in PoA.  
Similarly, Karkarov's decision to stand up for Krum is also treated 
as somehow inappropriate and lands Karkarov at the foot of a tree 
with a giant looming over him.  

Anyway, I'll have to go think more about how JKR makes me like all of 
these reserved, calm characters.

Cindy