[HPforGrownups] Pettigrew's deserts (was Nel #10)

[Jacqueline Hendries]

No: HPFGUIDX 41658

--- davewitley <dfrankiswork at netscape.net> wrote:

[snip]

> If Pettigrew *does* deserve to die, then Harry's act of clemency, 
> while correct from the point of view of due process, loses some of 
> its moral force since, in thematic terms, he is permitting a 
> miscarriage of justice in order for JKR to give him a life-credit 
> from Pettigrew for plot purposes.

> Does the text imply Pettigrew deserves to die?

Well, from my point of view, Lupin's willingness to join Sirius in
killing Peter is somewhat justified - he's doubly angry at him, not
only because he killed two of his best friends, but because he tricked
him into believing that his other best friend was a murderer. I think I
would be filled with rage, too, if it was me. :) Hermione doesn't say
much of anything during that passage, if I remember correctly. She's
the only one who I could see sticking up for Pettigrew, but I think her
non-action can be explained by the fact that she has no real link to
Sirius. I would not get in the way of someone who had just been in
Azkaban for thirteen years and looked fairly insane - Harry, however,
can afford to do this because Sirius shows that he's intent on NOT
killing him, he wants to protect him. I know it's not a great theory,
but putting myself in everyone's shoes, I can see why Lupin would be
feeling murderous and Hermione wouldn't want to get in the way. Any
more ideas?

-- Aloha
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