[HPforGrownups] Re: Draco's redemption - reprise

[Aja]

No: HPFGUIDX 33248


On Sat, 12 Jan 2002, southernscotland wrote:

> he is one of the more intriguing characters, too. It would be a shame
> for him to become a cliche. 

I personally believe that right now Draco is a cliche, period.  The rich
little snob who constantly thwarts our hero and his group for no other
reason than that his birthright makes him the villain? It's so cardboard
to me, and were he to *continue* to make flat choices to be "evil" just
because his father has taught him to, he would become even less appealing
to me. Even if he were to reform (much like the end of Return of the
Jedi), as Draco's character is written at this point--intelligent, witty,
but uni-dimensional--I'd still feel cheated out of real character
development in favor of a cliche "bad guy turned good guy" ending.

The one thing that gives me hope that JKR has much more satisfying things
up her sleeve for our favorite silver-haired Slytherin is the fact that
she has taken such pains to shroud Snape in mystery.  She's set up certain
parallels between Snape and Draco, and I believe more will be revealed as
the books progress.  I don't know if this means she's planning a
Draco redemption, but I'm hopeful that it means we'll at least come to see
him as a real boy, and not just a close-minded Daddy's boy/anti-hero.

> Maybe he is the "fan" of Harry's who dies, if used in a sarcastic way.

I could actually see this happening in later books, but I think if it does
then JKR would definitely have him martyred on the side of good--yet
another cliche.

> What would Draco have done with Harry as a (potential) friend?

I think Draco would have learned much quicker with Harry around how to and
*why* he should stand up to his father.  Since the main obstacle to their
friendship (other than Harry's own character and natural dislike of
Malfoy) would not have existed--i.e. Voldemort would be presumed dead and
out of the way at the time of their first getting to know one another-- I
believe Harry's influence would have helped Draco mature much faster. 
After all, Harry's basically a pureblood, like Draco--he also has a
sizeable inheritance, like Draco--and in terms of wizarding skills he at
least is Draco's equal if not his superior (we know in terms of natural
ability he's superior to most wizards and witches, but he seems to be less
eager at applying himself academically).  With someone like Harry around
to challenge his assumptions, Draco's Slytherin ambition would probably
have been channeled into developing his talents (which as I see them are
intellect, resourcefulness, cunning, and recklessness--not unlike Harry
himself) into positive strengths instead of using them to intimidate,
bully, and gain power. 

Of course, if we are to ask that question, we can't be fair unless we also
ask how Harry might have been changed for the worse from knowing Draco....


Aja *who can never seem to resist a diatribe on her favorite
character--the slimy git*