[HPforGrownups] Re: Weasleys and the Problem of Money

[kaityf at jorsm.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 48228

Betsy wrote:

>If you remember in SS, when Dumbledore is talking to Harry about the
>Mirror of Erised, he tells Harry that Ron is seeing what he (Ron)
>most desires.  Ron is overshadowed by his brothers. Charlie and Bill
>have left Hogwarts and have great jobs. Percy was Head Boy and now
>works at the MoM. Fred and George are the class clowns and everyone
>likes them. Ron is known as Harry Potter's friend. Not just Ron
>Weasley. There is no Ron Weasley, only Harry's friend, Percy's
>brother, etc.

I remember the scene with Dumbledore very well, but I still don't see Ron
as wanting to be *better than others.*  I still think he just wants to be
better than he is.

>I like the character of Ron, but I believe that he still has
>issues to resolve. Obviously, he's a teenager. I previously stated
>that IMB that the Dark Side will try and use this envy/jealousy to
>try to lure Ron to its side. Ron, thinking like a teenager, might use
>this to achieve fame and/or fortune.

I like Ron too, and I agree that he has issues to resolve.  However, I
really don't think that he is truly jealous of Harry or anyone else.  Nor
do I think that the Dark Side will try to lure him to its side.  I can see
him being somewhat blinded by his feelings and becoming an *unwitting*
pawn in the battle, but no way can I see him even entertaining the idea of
changing sides, not for any reason.  Ron surely gets tired of being in
Harry's shadow and of having shabby clothing, etc.; however, I think he
really knows that Harry's fame and fortune have a price.  We can see that
in GoF after Harry defeats the dragon.  Ron realizes that Harry couldn't
have really wanted to enter the tournament.  It's like many adolescent
desires -- we can fantasize about them, but when we do that, we aren't
always thinking about the sacrifices we need to make to get them and keep
them.  Ron may be willing to do some things to attain what his heart
desires, but I don't think he'd ever entertain turning evil or betraying a
friend.  The only way I can see Ron doing anything harmful is if he is
tricked into it, and because of his desires he would be easier to trick
than Hermione (who I don't think could be tricked at all).   I can even
see Hermione warning Ron not to do something, but Ron doesn't always
listen to Hermione.  He didn't listen about the Firebolt and he didn't
listen about the Tri-Wizard Tournament.  However, when push comes to
shove, Ron shows his true colors (as in the chess game) and I think *if*
Ron does something stupid, he would be ready to sacrifice himself.

>He will not turn to the Dark
>Side, but perhaps, thinking that if acts as if he has turned, he
>could be a spy for Dumbledore and he will help destory LV this time.
>If he succeeds, his name will now be known without all the other
>prefixes. He will be Ron Weasley, the defeator of LV. He will have
>the fame he desires.

I think Ron is perfectly capable of fantasizing about such things, but I
don't think he really wants to do anything like this.  Unless I'm
forgetting something critical, Ron doesn't usually take the initiative in
the fight against evil.  He follows Harry and exhibits bravery and even
the willingness for self-sacrifice.  But I don't see him actually taking
the lead, except in fantasizing.

>But don't forget, Ron is a teenager and acts and thinks like one.
>But I too have the nagging feeling that this will ultimately lead to
>Ron's demise.

I haven't forgotten -- in fact, it's what makes me so sure that Ron would
be more likely to just fantasize about doing some great deed.  I agree
with you, however, about Ron's demise.  I can't get past the idea that Ron
is going to sacrifice himself for Harry in order for Harry to defeat
Voldemort.  I see a symmetry with the first book, with Ron sacrificing
himself as he did in the chess game, but this time the results won't be so
good, at least not for Ron.