[HPforGrownups] Re: Seeking: Is it meant to be a good thing?

[Joanne Sammer]

No: HPFGUIDX 48447


>
>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.

Melody replied:
>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.

I see your point, but I do not think Harry is now or ever will become 
obsessed with anything because it would be too out of character and, 
more importantly, would drag down the story. Harry will only become 
obsessed if it furthers and fits with the story and his character. 
And frankly, given the way Harry has been portrayed to date, I think 
a single-minded obsession of any sort would be completely out of 
character for him. Aside from his Zen "one-with-the-snitch" approach 
that someone else mentioned, he hasn't shown the slightest 
inclination toward obsessive behavior. He would have to change a lot 
over the course of the remaining books for it to be plausible. 
Moreover, if you look at the characters JKR has presented that do 
have this type of single-minded obsession, they are either evil 
(Voldemort, Crouch Jr.) or slightly ridiculous (Oliver Wood, Percy).

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

Melody replied:

>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.

Again, I just don't see this. It is a major leap to go from wanting 
to do well at Quidditch to developing any sort of obsession. If he 
had obsessive tendencies, they would have manifested themselves in 
other parts of this life. and I don't see that.

Joanne