Ambition in the Wizarding World (WAS Ron (just Ron ... no SHIP); Bickering)

[cindysphynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 38707

Coming in late here, but better late than never, right?

Right?  :-)

***********************

Penny wrote:

> I said: all the Weasley males are ambitious.
 
<snip>

>Wanting the results *is* the very definition of ambition:
> 
> Definition #1 -- "eagerness to attain success, honor, power, fame, 
etc."
> 
> Definition #2 -- "an eager or strong desire to achieve something, 
such as fame or fortune"
> 
> Under these definitions, I think it'd be hard to argue that Ron 
>lacks ambition.

My dictionary has an additional definition of ambition:  "A desire 
for exertion or activity."

Hmmm.  I think it's a tough sale to say that Ron is ambitious.  Ron, 
rather than striving toward something, just wants things.  Better 
yet, he wants them handed to him, and the only effort he's willing 
to put forth at times is to hold out his hand.  So count me among 
those who think Ron has an eager or strong *desire* for things like 
fame or fortune, but lacks a desire to put in the effort to 
*achieve* these things.

Oh, I know I'm being hard on Ron.  

<roots around in pocket for C.R.A.B. badge, seems to have misplaced 
it>  

And I'm not saying he doesn't have positive qualities.  Deciding not 
to be ambitious is fine, really.  I'm just having trouble with the 
idea that he is ambitious because he dreams of distinguishing 
himself but takes few steps to make it happen.

That said, it is really no surprise, is it?  The wizarding world 
doesn't seem keen on ambition, does it?  Let's see.  Who are our 
most ambitious characters?

1.  Crouch Jr.  When he is about to kill Harry, he says, "Imagine 
how he will reward me when he finds I have done it for him."  

2.  Hermione.  A hard-working student who is definitely ambitious, 
but is often mocked by her peers and even a teacher (Snape) despite 
her knowledge and skills.

3.  Fudge.  Dumbledore believes his ambition has blinded him:  "You 
are blinded . . . by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius!"

4.  Real Moody.  Sirius says, "If you ask me, he still thinks he can 
bring back the old popularity by catching one more Death Eater."

5.  Percy.  Again, another hard-working character who is ridiculed 
for his ambition.

6.  Crouch Sr.  Lost everything due to ambition.

7.  Vernon Dursley.  His ambition to close a lucrative sale is 
viewed with derision.

8.  Voldemort.  I have a hunch, and it's just a hunch really, that 
Voldemort is a *teeny bit* ambitious.

9.  Lucius Malfoy, Amos Diggory, Karkaroff.  Fathers or father 
figures who urge their sons or male proteges to be ambitious or 
competitive are not viewed favorably.

10.  MacNair.  Yeah, he seems to be willing to go the extra mile to 
behead something.

On the other hand, we have characters like Dumbledore, who could be 
Minister of Magic but chooses not to pursue it.  Or like Arthur 
Weasley, who probably could do more to obtain a higher position at 
MoM but who chooses not to.  Or the twins, who mostly seem to be 
able to muster ambition when doing something against the rules 
(figuring out the Map, crossing the Age line).  Or Hagrid, who is 
pleased as punch to win the CoMC job but doesn't seem to really do 
all he can to make the most of the position.  These characters are 
viewed as noble for lacking ambition to some extent.

Then we have the curious middle.  We have Snape, who supposedly 
covets the DADA position, but many on this list don't believe the 
rumor.  Is Snape ambitious?  I have my own views based on certain 
views about why Snape became a DE, but I'm not sure we've really 
reached much of a consensus there. 

Cindy (who lacks an opinion about whether Trelawney or McGonagall 
are ambitious, and suspects JKR lacks an opinion as well)