Ron's Virtue (was "Dam' Good Auror")/Gay Characters

[cynthiaanncoe at home.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27185

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Penny & Bryce <pennylin at s...> wrote:
> As someone who steadfastly refuses to join C.R.A.B., it shouldn't 
> surprise anyone too much that I don't agree.  First, I'd like to 
refer 
> back to Catherine's excellent message entitled "Why Ron isn't a 
Seer" 
> (#21458), which could also be titled "Why Ron Won't be an Auror" 
IMO. I 
> think Ron is the "weakest link," and despite Ron's obvious angling, 
> Crouch-as-Moody apparently agrees.  As Catherine says in the above 
> message, it always strikes me that Ron is just grasping at straws, 
and 
> when he's right, it's through sheer luck.
> 
> Yes, yes ... I know Ron contributes some skills & strengths to the 
Trio. 
>   But, on the whole, his contributions don't really stack up in my 
mind 
> .. not as far as sleuthing & solving the puzzles anyway.  

As a late-comer to C.R.A.B., I feel I should defend Ron a little bit 
(and even take a stab at converting Penny).  I initially had some of 
the same reservations about Ron's abilities and talents.  Lately, 
though, I've decided that Ron isn't supposed to be especially bright 
or talented or a master mystery solver.  He has a totally different 
purpose -- best friend. 

And he fills that role beautifully (except for the GoF fight with 
Harry).  He doesn't like Harry just because Harry is famous, and he 
doesn't dislike Harry because Harry is famous.  He accepts Harry for 
who he is, and Ron is usually able to cope with his own jealousy.  
When he has to make a sacrifice to help Harry, he does it.  (Recall 
his "sacrifice" in helping Harry learn how to Stun?)  

In some ways, Ron's role it is almost like being a non-working 
spouse.  The support the non-working spouse provides is critical to 
the success of the working spouse.  It is just a lot less visible and 
to some extent, less valued by society.  Ron's support comes in the 
form of helping Harry cope, like helping him learn about the wizard 
world and such.  Most people don't display Ron's depth of character 
in their teens, and Ron's outstanding character deserves its own 
recognition.  

Now, about the issue of gay characters.  Unless future books change 
substantially, I'd be surprised to see JKR start revealing the sexual 
orientation of her characters.  As it stands, precious few characters 
are married or involved in any kind of romantic relationship.  This 
makes sense to me because, as a teen, I was often completely clueless 
about the romantic relationships of my teachers and other adults in 
my life (and even a lot of my peers).  Why should Harry's world be 
any different?  If a character suddenly turned out to be gay, I'd 
certainly raise an eyebrow unless it could be demonstrated that the 
issue has some relevance to the plot, just as if characters suddenly 
starting procreating.

In a way, the issue strikes me the same way as criticisms I've heard 
that the characters aren't sufficiently religious.  It is OK with me 
that the world JKR has created is secular.  It is OK that there 
aren't large numbers of the disabled.  Or members of certain races.  
Along the same lines, it would also be OK if her world were entirely 
hetero.  

Cindy (who hopes she has communicated her thoughts in a respectful 
fashion)