[HPforGrownups] The Do's and Don'ts of Being a Good Character

[Laura Huntley]

No: HPFGUIDX 34661

Cindy said:
>>I find it difficult to answer questions like this in any kind of 
consistent way.  When should the Good characters be permitted to 
deviate from conventions of fair play in the wizarding world?  How is 
it that an author can have her Good characters behave in these 
morally questionable ways and still remain Good in the readers' minds?>>

    One of the best signs of a capable writer is the ability to develop three-dimensional characters.  As in real life, *no one* should be perfectly good or perfectly evil in a well-written book.  Making characters multi-faceted makes them more believable and easier for the reader to relate to.  
    
    I mean, think about it.  Even Voldemort has his pitiable, neglected childhood.  It has been Hagrid's character to react violently towards people who insult/threaten D. since the beginning (remember where Dudley's pig tail came from?) for him to remain silent while K. verbally assaulted D. would have detracted from the credibility of his character.  
    
    Furthermore, who wants to read about perfect people?  Perfect people don't have moral dilemmas, they don't have any faults, they barely have emotions, they don't ever do anything wrong, and, most importantly, THEY DON'T EXIST.  Harry's a good boy, right?  And yet, he also has had his not-so-Good moments as well.  Furthermore, I violently protest the language "morally questionable" as if it were an uncommon and filthy thing.  *Everyone* behaves in "morally questionable" ways almost every minute of their lives.  As far as I'm concerned, Harry and his gang are doing allot better than most of us "real" people.  Be a little more forgiving of their few faults, okay? ^_^

laura       


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