Would JKR make Lupin evil?

[alhewison]

No: HPFGUIDX 39661

All the posts about *evil* Lupin have scared me. I can't help feeling 
a bit suspicious of one of favourite characters - that is despite all 
the valiant attempts at *proving* Lupin's innocence. BUT, although I 
cannot back up my argument with canon I doubt whether JKR would make 
Lupin evil.

JKR has developed a world without racism as we know it - but 
nevertheless full of prejudice and bigotry. Isn't she using the likes 
of Lupin and the questions of full blood etc to challenge racism, 
stereotyping etc? JKR has allowed us, the reader to advance beyond 
Lupin's Wizard counterparts by allowing us - through Harry - to trust 
Lupin. What would she actually be saying to us if Lupin did turn out 
to *be* evil? She would be saying that the WW is right to distrust 
Lupin - and by inference - we are right to distrust those Lupin 
represents (be they the mentally ill, the deformed, those of 
different religions or ethnic backgrounds - but more simply the 
misunderstood, the different ones).

Whilst I acknowledge that it is dangerous to predict/ or tightly 
define authorial intent; JKR does seem to have some firm beliefs 
which are visible through the Potterverse. Whilst the slavery of the 
House Elves remains a moot point, JKR's desire to show social misfits 
and second class citizens as deserving of our love and/or respect 
remains consistent. If this is the case, the only way that Lupin 
would then turn out to be evil, would be if JKR is then trying to 
say "Look, this is what happnes IF you distrust and shun social 
misfits, they respond by turning against you. IMO this seems to be a 
bit like over egging the pudding - when all she needs to say is, 
Look! get to know these people, trust these people, and their prove 
trustworthy.


Ali