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

[serenadust]

No: HPFGUIDX 38711

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

> 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?

<snip examples 1 - 4) 
> 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."


Er, Cindy, I believe that Sirius is referring to Crouch,Sr when he 
makes this statement.
"'Moody says Crouch is obsessed with catching Dark wizards,' Harry 
told Sirius.
'Yeah, I've heard it's become a bit of a mania with him,' said 
Sirius, nodding. 'If you ask me, he still thinks he can bring back 
the old popularity by catching one more Death Eater.'" GoF Chapter 27

Cindy:
.  These characters are 
> viewed as noble for lacking ambition to some extent.
 
I think you're on to something here. Do you think that this reflects 
JKR's feelings concerning fiercely ambitious people.  She certainly 
seems to favor the characters who don't seem to be striving too hard 
to achieve some material or status-related goal.  Hermione's 
ambition doesn't seem to be in that category, though. She's only 
striving for pure knowledge for it's own sake, not to gain power 
over others (although she certainly craves recognition for her 
academic achievements, doesn't she?), and Rowling seems to respect 
that.  It's very possible that her political leanings are reflected 
in the fact that the most ambitious characters in her books seem to 
be mostly headed for trouble (so far).

Jo S