On following rules

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 37412

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Porphyria <porphyria at m...> wrote:

> What do you think JKR's deal is with rules and rule-breaking? Is
being a 
> stickler for rules seen as a pathology? A symptom of a traumatized 
> personality? Something to outgrow and get over? When is it ever a
good 
> idea?

My $.01's worth on the matter:

First of all, while I think JKR does have moral points to make in the
books, she's been pretty good about not letting the morals get in the
way of the fun.  A story about schoolkids who follow the rules and get
duly rewarded for it is just not a lot of fun.  

That said, I do think the books make a clear distinction between
"good" and "bad" rule-breaking.  Draco breaks rules for selfish
reasons, and he never gets to win in the end.  When Harry gratuitously
breaks rules just to sneak into Hogsmeade, he's reprimanded not only
by Snape, but also by Lupin -- a sympathetic character whose opinions
the readers are meant to take seriously.  In Quidditch, Slytherins
cheat and foul, while the Gryffindors play clean -- and the
Gryffindors always beat the Slytherins.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com