[HPforGrownups] Re: Fred and George: The Bullies You Do Know

[Suzanne Chiles]

No: HPFGUIDX 43202


> We were never meant to analyze the actions of the twins in this
> fashion?  The discussion is getting "tedious" because people have
> different ideas about what constitutes bullying?

I don't think the discussion is, in and of itself, tedious. But for me,
what's starting to become tedious for me are so many who want these
wonderful books to be more politically correct. If JKR had written these
books to satisfy everyone's suggestions, I think the books would be
hideously boring. What would Hogwarts be like if there was always a
well-meaning teacher who stopped everything whenever Fred and George or
Draco started exhibiting certain behaviors? And how much fun would be books
be if the Dursleys were more tolerant and less strict with Harry? Or if
there was nothing at Hogwarts that was dangerous? Or if Harry, Hermione, and
Ron didn't break the rules as often as they do?

Yes, Fred and George grate on my nerves sometimes. Overall, I find them
quite charming and funny, but sometimes they're jerks too. Not bullies, but
jerks. Rather like real life, which normally is not PC, but runs a full
gamut of the nice and wonderful to the awful and ugly. And lots and lots of
gray areas. I think Rowling does a wonderful job of showing us that gamut,
and showing us that some of our most beloved and favorite characters have
some areas of gray as well.

Just my 2 knuts,

Suzanne