Question for Hagrid Disapprovers

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 40353

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Suzanne Chiles" <suzchiles at p...> wrote:

>Do you believe that she (JKR) believes Hagrid to be a dismal failure 
whose character flaws are so great that he is destined to cause Harry 
and/or Dumbledore great harm? Or do you believe that JKR meant to 
write a good guy, but failed miserably?>

Neither, actually.  I think JKR has a lesson behind almost all of her 
characters, but I don't think she intended Hagrid's sole purpose to be 
someone who would cause Dumbledore great harm.  Most of her characters 
have layers of depth, Hagrid included.  I think through Hagrid we are 
supposed to understand the idea of being tolerant and open minded, 
and, along with Lupin, we are supposed to turn away from stereotyping 
and give people second chances.  

I do believe that Hagrid is a good guy, but I do not like him.  I find 
him a bit cartoonish.  That does not mean that I think JKR failed 
miserably; it just means I don't like him.  There are members here who 
openly dislike Ron, something probably a surprise to JKR, and I'm 
willing to bet JKR never expected so many people to find Snape <gulp> 
sexy.  As for Hagrid, I personally just do not find his obsession with 
big and hairy beasts amusing, and I am unclear about what kind of 
relationship Harry and co. are supposed to have with Hagrid.  He is 
someone who was hired to be an authority figure on the Hogwarts 
grounds, yet I get the feeling we *should* want him to be friends with 
Harry, something I am not comfortable with.

These are tough questions, Suzanne!  I am not sure how well I answered 
them.

--jenny from ravenclaw ******************************