Neville: Memory, History, Legacy, Power (LONG!) (Was:: Still Life)

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 38430

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "cindysphynx" <cindysphynx at c...> wrote:

> Oh, my!  What an interesting challenge!  Is there any character who 
> consistently challenges the fundamental tenets of the Potterverse's 
> wizarding culture?  Anyone who thinks outside the box?  Marches to 
> his own drummer?
> 
> Yes, there is.  Voldemort.  Voldemort doesn't play by the rules of 
> the Wizarding World.  He uses Unforgivable Curses.  He wasn't 
> satisified with the honors Hogwarts bestowed upon him.  To the 
> extent we know what he stands for, it is purity of blood and Evil 
> for the sake of Evil.  So, yeah, we have someone who thinks outside 
> of the box.  But even then, JKR gives him no redeeming qualities and 
> makes it clear that the reward for straying from the conventions of 
> the Wizarding World is 13 years as a vapor and (undoubtedly) defeat 
> in Book 7.

<snip>

> So.  The lesson so far is that straying from the conventions of a 
> culture leads to chaos and evil and a tragic end.

I hardly think Voldemort represents a meaningful example for drawing
conclusions about the value of unconventional thinking in the WW. Of
all the terms that spring to mind when describing him,
"non-conformist" would not be the first on the list.  Or even the
917th.

The poster-boy for non-conformism in the WW seems to be Dumbledore. 
Even people who like him think he's nuts.  He employs werewolves,
half-giants, and snarky ex-DEs with bad hair.  He pays a salary to one
of his house elves.  He lets everyone sing to their own tune and
enjoys the resulting cacophony.  He wants *socks* for Christmas.  He's
about as outside the box as they come.  Or maybe his box is just way
bigger than everyone else's, which amounts to the same thing. <G>

So the lesson is, straying from convention leads to charming
eccentricity and your own Chocolate Frog card.  I can live with that.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com