C.R.A.B. - dissatisfaction with GoF

[hfakhro at nyc.rr.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 25858

cynthiaanncoe wrote:
Amy, I would consider joining C.R.A.B. (assuming you'd have me), but 
someone has to make the case for Ron being deserving of a break.

When I first read the books, I was wondering if Ron might be 
something close to a squib.  I can't think of very many instances in 
which Ron proves a talent in a particular branch of magic.  He has 
trouble on Lupin DADA exam and can't throw off the Imperius curse.  I 
don't think he's ever transfigured anything.  His Banished cushions 
don't land in the bin.  He makes up his divination homework.  He 
invents goblins on the test.  Nothing good ever happens to Ron in 
Potions.  He isn't good enough at Quiddich to make the house team, 
even by his third year.  He can't even land on the cushions when 
stunned, for cryin' out loud.  He's good at chess, but even Muggles 
are good at chess.

So Ron seems very nice, courageous and funny, and I'd like to believe 
he's a talented wizard.  But for now, I have my doubts about whether 
Ron has earned a break.  

Cindy (who wonders whether Ron will receive even one O.W.L.)

Hi - several people have already proven that it is not the case that 
Ron is Squib-like, so I won't repeat their points. The thing is, why 
do you say that Ron hasn't earned a break unless he achieves some 
incredibly talented action in the manner of Harry (most famous and 
talented peer of Ron's) and Hermione (cleverest witch of her year.) I 
think the standards many people set Ron to are completely unfair and 
unrealistic. I think it is even mentioned once (book 1 or 2) that he 
gets similar marks as Harry, so I don't understand why you seem to 
think he won't receive his O.W.L.s. NOBODY is able to fight the 
Imperius except Harry, and I think it is emphasized that this is a 
Big Deal. This includes Barty Crouch (a powerful wizard) - he is only 
able to fight it for moments at a time and that's after several 
months. The Quidditch team lineup hasn't changed since their first 
year; we simply cannot know whether Ron would have made it on the 
team, because that opportunity has not arisen for him.

The other thing is, why is it important to judge Ron based on his 
magical talent? Why does he only earn a break if he is a powerful 
wizard? I don't see anyone saying that Neville doesn't earn a break 
simply because he's not the most powerful of wizards (yet.) It is 
true that 'even Muggles are good at chess' - but not many Muggles can 
play it as well as Ron does. I can understand people disliking Ron, I 
just don't understand when he's held up to ridiculously high 
standards and then judged to be a nonentity. Ron brings humour, 
encouragement, and friendship into Harry's life, I don't think we 
should underestimate that affect on Harry.

Steve Vander Ark wrote:

She could have easily borrowed one of our explanations and never had 
to admit any error at all.
<snip>
We were all very let down when the error was just fixed with no 
comment whatsoever from JKR or the publishers.
<snip>
But I don't think she's a writer on par with C.S. Lewis or Natalie 
Babbitt and that's okay.

I think I can understand where you're coming from in terms of the 
disappointment (even though I am a post-GoF member, and really did 
not know what it was like back then) - however, can we really expect 
something like this from JKR? I doubt that she monitors any sort of 
fan list, no matter how wishful we may be that she would do so. 
Therefore, I doubt she even knew that there were theories that would 
have supported the wand order error - and even if she had seen these 
theories, perhaps it still wouldn't have made sense in the backstory? 
I understand you don't think she's the best writer, but I think we 
can't judge the series until they are completed. For me, I find each 
book is an improvement over the last, so I have every faith that the 
books will get better and that her writing will improve. I know 
you're not abandoning the books because of this view, I just hope 
that you can have faith in her writing, especially now that she has 
so much time to write the next one properly.

--Hella