Percy's Character Flaw (was:Re: Official Discussion Questions ...: Question #1)

[scaryfairymary]

No: HPFGUIDX 37284

> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., Penny Linsenmayer <pennylin at s...> wrote:
>  
> > In GoF, Ron remarks, 'Percy loves rules,' and he wonders whether 
his 
> brother would send a family member to Azkaban if it would advance 
his 
> career (GoF, pg 463).  Reflect on the role of bureaucracy in the 
> novels.  Does his tendency to side with bureaucracy make Percy 
> susceptible to the same sorts of errors made by Cornelius Fudge and 
> Barty Crouch, Sr., errors that ultimately (if unintentionally) help 
> Lord Voldemort?  Might we expect him - albeit unwillingly - to aid 
> Voldemort by following the letter of the law instead of its 
spirit?  
> Will he side with Crouch or with his family?>
>
--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "jenny_ravenclaw" <meboriqua at a...> wrote: 
> First of all, Penny, I am truly impressed with the effort you put 
into 
> this question.   
> Anyway, I am most definitely a member of P.I.N.E., but I worry 
about 
> Percy just the same.  

  Well, I hate to play devil's advocate here but..... Percy HAS to be 
EVIL.  I really havn't been able to warm to his character at all (not 
for lack of trying!) He really is very very power hungry ("Prefects 
Who Gained Power") and I don't hold up much hope for his redemption.  
>From his sheep like following of Crouch Sr. to his mere lack of 
ability to 'let his hair down' he really hasn't shown any ability to 
survive in the real world, let alone in a war situation. I remember a 
quote from Prof. Quirrel in PS along the lines of;
 "Theres no good or Evil, just power and those too weak to seek it"
(I lent my copy of PS to my brother so havent got the exact quote so 
my apologies)IMO, this quote really sums up Percy's philosophy in 
life. In OP he will be overcome by a desire for Power and a monstrous 
lack of vision, and end up(intentionally or otherwise) either aiding 
th Dark Side or hindering the Old Crowd in some way.  Perhaps he will 
get suspicious of his father in the Ministry and report him to 
Fudge?  I have *no* faith in his ability to see the wood from the 
trees when it comes to Power and his quest for it.

  The only example of Percy acting as if he is proud of a family 
member is when Ron is being praised by Dumbledore for "the best game 
of chess..." at the end of PS.  Even here I doubt his if he is being 
genuine.  I see it as an attention seeking exercise on his part, not 
allowing Ron to be the very centre of attention for even a second, he 
attempts to steal glory by association.  Maybe he is just very 
insecure (caused by the death of an older sibling perhaps??!!!:P) but 
I cant see how he is going to possibly avoid getting himself, and 
others, into trouble.

 -Mary (who is waiting to feel the toaster flying at her from 
somewhere in the distance!! I'm sorry...I just don't like Percy!)