[HPforGrownups] Re: The Marauders Vs. The Trio-who is who?

[Penny Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 42537

Hi --

Ah, the thread that comes up again every few months or so ....

Grey Wolf wrote of the comparisons between James & Harry:

<<<<<<<James played, according to JKR, chaser, not seeker, as Harry does, and still is the closest similarity. James was a very good student, while 
Harry is a "C" student: has some trouble passing his exams and is very 
indifferent about studying. I don't picture him as someone capable of 
learning to be an animagi ilegally, not because he lacks the courage, 
but because he lacks the dedication. True enough he doesn't really need 
it, but neither did the marauders.>>>>>>>>

I'm afraid I must quibble with this.  James & Sirius are both described as "exceptionally bright," which is *not* the same thing as a "very good student."  Nope.  In fact, many bright individuals are *not* good students in the traditional Hermione-esque mode.  Harry is also not necessarily a "C student."  Harry does exceptionally well in DADA for example, and while he didn't do well in Potions that one year when he suspects Snape has written down a "zero" for his final exam grade, that's about all we know for sure about his grades.  I have the impression that he is an "above-average" student who gets decent grades without putting forth alot of effort.  I'd rather imagine he & Ron are both what I would call "B students" rather than "C students."  Of course, this is all based on a grading system that is American -- the Brits probably don't have a A, B, C, D and F (failure) grading system.  But, in any case, I would put Harry & Ron both in the B range.

<<<<<Hermione is the one that is most close to one of the marauders, if we 
assume that Lupin learned all he knows about DADA at school (although I 
believe he went hunting for dark creatures since he couldn't get a 
regular job, and got a training at the job). Note, however, that Lupin 
is *not* an animagus, thus, there is no real canon to back-up the "he 
was a good student" theory. Hermione, on the other hand is *the* 
student of the triad, but doesn't carry the anguish or the doubts Lupin 
does. Lupin has been afraid of himself and of loosing control all his 
life, which just doesn't happen in Hermione's case: she's believes she 
can solve any problem (normally by checking books at the library).>>>>>

Hmmm...actually, as much a Hermione fan as I am, I must say that I think she does over-compensate due to a lack of self-confidence.  So, the parallels between Hermione & Lupin on that level are there, IMO.  But, I actually prefer the correlation between Hermione and Sirius myself.  Temper parallels with Ron or not, Sirius's most distinguishing trait, IMO, is his steadfast loyalty.  The Trio member who has been most loyal to Harry (and to all her friends) is Hermione.  I think the Sirius/Ron parallel is too "easy" - it's too surface-level to say "Well, they can both display their temper."  So, can Hermione.  She is forthright & cutting about Malfoy's dad buying his way onto the Slytherin team, she slapped Malfoy in the face in Hagrid's defense, she walked out of Trelawney's class without a backward glance, and she was pretty steamed about Ron's remarks about her date with Krum.  Yes, she can lose her temper too.  So, I've always favored the Sirius/Hermione parallel over Lupin/Hermione.  


Penny






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