Draco Malfoy is Ever So Lame (and TBAY three hedgehogs))

[naamagatus]

No: HPFGUIDX 39118



> Just one point. Draco's unsatisfactoriness originates (if I 
> understand you correctly) from his presumed role of Peer Rival to 
> Harry, right?
> Well, I'm not sure that I agree that that is exactly his narrative 
> role. I mean, yes, of course it is - he is a peer and a rival of 
> Harry. The thing is, Draco is not Harry's true rival (arch enemy). 
> The true rival is Voldemort, and in facing him, Harry is truly 
> 

Eloise:

Isn't this the precise point?
His narrative role *appears* to be as Harry's chief rival *within 
Hogwarts*. 
If he weren't who he is (say, he was an obnoxious Gryffindor), he 
could even be his chief rival in the fight against Voldemort (whom I 
would argue to be Snape, who receives in some ways similar treatment 
from JKR).


> The conflict with Draco is definitely 
> not heroic, but that's OK. As far as narrative roles go, I'm quite 
> happy with loser!Draco. He provides action which is fun to read. 
> Voldemort action, on the other hand, is dark and stressful (the 
> parts I least like rereading are the final denouments with 
> Voldemort). 
> If Draco was too powerful, it would make the skirmishes with him  
too intense, which would change the balance of the books and of the 
plot. 
> Give too much power to Draco, make him successful, and you lessen 
the 
> 

Eloise countered:

This is of course true. But the point, I think, is that this 
superficial rivalry *isn't* his literary function, although it is the 
way he is *perceived* by some, who may not be as perceptive as you.


Me:

I've mulled over this, and I don't seem to get your point. 
Are you saying that the "superficial rivalry" is not Draco's literary 
function? Because *I* think that the superficial rivalry is precisely 
Draco's role. My point was, that I am perfectly happy with this 
superficiality, since the real, dark struggle occurs elsewhere. 
Unlike Elkins, I don't find the character as it is so far 
unsatisfying. The conflicts with him are lighter and fun to read and 
I'm not sure that it can't just continue to be so. 
However, maybe I'm missing the point. If I am, please explain it to 
again, ok? :-)


> So, in the context of the overall story, Draco is there, IMO, to 
> underline Harry's strength, both for the sheer fun of seeing him 
>get his but kicked, but also to prepare us for Harry's final victory 
over 
> 

Eloise:

Do we need to be prepared by his rivalry with another student? Each 
book prepares us for his final victory through his confrontations 
with Quidemort, Sirius, the Dementors, Tom Riddle and of course, with 
the re-embodied Voldemort.

However, the Voldemort confrontations happen only episodically. 
Characters like Draco and Snape (and from time to time, Ron, 
Hermione, various Hufflepuffs, even the whole of Gryffindor, on 
occasion) provide a background of character-building opposition over 
which our hero must rise.


Me:

But think about it. Harry is special enough and strong enough to 
overcome Voldemort, or at least be a worthy opponent to him, right? 
Then you can't have a *student* who seriously challenges Harry, 
because it will diminish Voldemort as the major evil guy, and thus 
diminish Harry's unique struggle with him. As I see it, Draco 
underlines Harry's strength because Harry overcomes him so easily. 

Elkins said:
"And on and on it goes, throughout four entire volumes. Draco just  
can't do anything right. He is profoundly ineffectual, and not a one 
of his purported advantages actually helps him at all."

But, if you assume that Draco is, in himself, competent and 
successful (and, on my reading, this is how JKR intends to portray 
him), then his ineffectuality in relation to Harry underlines Harry's 
peculiar, even unique, strenght and abilities (ok, and his good 
luck). 



>Apparently Bent!Eloise

Yup. ;-)


Naama