Generational Parallels

[davewitley]

No: HPFGUIDX 37481

Columbiatexan:
> <<<<<<<<<<<<But I don't think generational parallels are a good 
> predictor of future events or of who's going to end up with who... 
> so far, we've seen Harry go after a girl who most CERTAINLY 
> does not resemble his mother either physically or personality 
> wise>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

and Penny:
> 
> Exactly!  
> 
me too.

I think it is interesting the way these parallels are raised in the 
books.  Dumbledore tells Harry that James' relationship to Snape was 
similar to Harry's with Draco, but he is not saying they must follow 
the same path (I couldn't say whether this is meant to be trailing 
a 'redemption' for Draco).  McGonagall mentions Neville as like 
Pettigrew in the pub: but that seems to be the limit of the parallel 
as Neville makes no attempt to be part of Harry's group, assuming we 
can believe Sirius' somewhat biased characterisation of Pettigrew.

But the one person who deliberately draws a parallel and wonders if 
there is any truth in it is Tom Riddle.  The 'strange likenesses' 
that he sees between himself and Harry interest and possibly unnerve 
him.  As someone for whom his descent from Slytherin is important, it 
is one of his vulnerabilities that he tries to read the future in the 
form of the past, rather than (as JKR continually emphasises) 
learning the lessons of the past to face the unknown future better.

David