Seeking: Is it meant to be a good thing?

[Melody <Malady579@hotmail.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48336

Hi JoAnne.  Welcome to the group.  Nice name.  <g>


JoAnne wrote:
> I don't see any danger of Quidditch becoming an obsession. Remember
> that when Harry flew for the first time, it was a revelation to him.
> Finally, he was good at something. He felt free. Quidditch has been
> a way for Harry to be notable for something other than his scar. It
> also seems like a lot of fun.

Quidditch is a wonderful distraction for Harry.  I am very glad he has
it and the chance to earn his own reputation.  I was not trying to say
"Quidditch" itself would become an obsession, but rather, that the
clarity of mind of a single-minded pursuit of an object could.  His
taught style of "seeking" could become an obsession.  The integrated
mind set of how to search for a snitch would creep in his
subconscious.  The needs to clear the path to free the mind to search
could also follow.  Those are dangerous gifts and traits to have in
wrong hands.  While I do think Harry is being brought up to see morals
clearly, I do find these tactics are shown in the book to not be the
best way to achieve your goals.


JoAnne wrote:
> Harry knew he had a major problem with
> dementors (not just when playing Quidditch) and needed to do
> something to protect himself.

Before, I pointed out that Harry knew he had this problem ever since
the train.  He even knew the dementors were at the school and would be
a continual possible threat to him, but Harry did not seek help
against them until they threatened his Quidditch game.  He then sought
after Lupin to try and find a way to clear up this problem because of
that motivation.  That motivation is very key to me.  Harry, when he
has a single-minded adventure like he does *during* the game, will try
everything he can do to avert *anything* that could possible take his
mind off of catching that snitch.  That is what I find dangerous if it
is allowed to boil and pervert.


JoAnne wrote about Task Two:
> I think Harry would have done the same thing again. He really did
> show "moral fiber" as the judges said and he did it without
> thinking.  That shows more about Harry than anything else.

But that "moral fiber" was not what Harry learned in task two.  He
learned that he took things too seriously.  Had Harry known that the
other would not of been hurt and then could do the task over again,
then he too would of high-tailed it back to the finish line.  One must
remember Krum and Cedric knew this as well.  They knew not to take the
egg song that seriously.  They knew the *point* was to finish.  Not to
show moral fiber.  Besides, Harry shows he has moral fiber constantly.
 So much so it is almost annoying.


JoAnne wrote:
> I don't think his interest in Quidditch is single minded. He reads
> about the Cannons and broomsticks, like Muggle boys do football and
> other sports. I've always viewed Quidditch as a nice relief for
> Harry.

I did not mean to say his "interest" in Quidditch could become
obsessive.  What is borderline obsessive is the *way* Harry has to
play the game.  When Harry is on the field and in the game, he *is*
supposed to have a one-track mind.  Find the snitch before the other
seeker does.  He kind of has to look out for bludgers, but he is not
supposed to.  That is the beaters job.  What Harry has to do is bend
his mind on that small golden snitch.  That is all.  That is also very
close cousin to obsession.


I wrote:
>>So - where am I in figuring out the creed?  What does JKR mean by
>>the words "seek", "weak", and "power"?

JoAnne wrote:
>I agree that Harry is a seeker. But does it have to be power? I think
>Harry is seeking lot of things--a family, some peace of mind about
>Voldemort, a passing grade in Potions, knowledge of his parents and
>family. These are all worthy goals.

You might want to go back and read my original post as to why I went
back to QuirrelMort's creed in PS/SS.  I was trying to figure out the
degree of "seeking" implied by that creed.  I do agree Harry seeks
many things in life as we all do.  I just was worried about the way he
is being taught to seek.


Melody