Somebody please save Ron!

[marephraim]

No: HPFGUIDX 44744

Well, this was going to address the "Save Ron" thread, but it
also falls into my terror at the thought of Ron's possible death
in one of the future volumes.

bboy_mn writes:
> 
> I'm going to stray from Canon [snip] (and) hope Ron does something 
so obviously and independently heroic that no one can possibly 
ignore him. So heroic, that while still Harry's friend, he is not 
basking in Harry's reflected glory.
>[big snip]
> Among chess players, the Philosopher's Stone chess game against 
McGonnagall's chess set was the most noble, brave, and heroic game 
of chess ever played in the entire history of the world. 

Having started the opinion request thread because I would be so 
heartbroken if Ron were to die (and this thread seems to have spun 
off from that), I'd like to put an op in.

Several comments have argued in favour of Ron's death, and bboy_mn 
would almost seem to concur, due to indications of Ron's low self-
esteem. 

dcyasser notes:
>But what I want to see most in Book 5 is someone to save Ron -- not 
necessarily from death, but from a complete absence of self-worth.

I'd submit that Ron has shown a sense of self-worth, despite a 
somewhat "Why is everything I own rubbish!" persona (remember that 
line?). A person who can make that kind of comment does have a sense 
of self-worth (a la, "I deserve better, but I'm not getting it.") 
What IS evident in Ron is a lack of competitiveness -- which would 
fit with his coming from such a large brood. He's seen Bill and 
Charley make their mark in their own ways, watched Percy obsess with 
making it, and also observed Fred and George (or is it George and 
Fred) opt for avenues of success that they can find personally 
fulfilling (and fun!).  This all would indicate not a lack of self-
esteem, but a more complex approach to finding his way in life.

O sure, he reckons he's not as good as Percy, or Fred and George, 
but here again; he's not competitive. I've known many 'Rons' in my 
life and strangely enough they usually seem to make good of 
themselves in the end. 

And consider Ron's chessmanship. It has been noted that Ron has a 
keen sense of strategy. Rightly so. I would rather interpret
Ron's various comments, or JKR's assessments of Ron as being
Harry's (somewhat limited due to age) POV. Sure, Ron fishes for a 
compliment when Mad Eye Moody suggests that both Harry and Hermione 
would make good Aurors.  But I would suggest that in GoF the whole 
tantrum episode (so painful to read!) when Harry and Ron are at odds 
shows a definite defiance from accepting the two-dimensional 
expendable side-kick role. 

Katey also notes:
>in SS one of the centaurs says that it's always the innocent who go 
first. I think he was referencing the dead unicorn they found in the 
forest, but I also think it's foreshadowing.

To the SHIP threads that envision a Harry/Hermione future, I agree 
with those who rather expect a Ron/Hermione one. It's quite
typical of boys at the GoF age to be alternately shy, hostile and 
dismissive of the one girl they really have strong feelings for. The 
comment Hermione makes that `next time ask me first,' which
Ron doesn't get but Harry does, is no indication that Harry is the
more likely ultimate target for Hermione's affection. From
Harry's dispassionate perspective (romantically speaking) it would 
be naturally easier for him to see Ron's obvious feelings for
Hermione than Ron would himself at the time. That would tie in with 
the comments that JKR would not have spent so much time sub-plotting 
a future Ron/Hermione relationship only to kill Ron off in the next 
book.

But consider: Ron's jealousy, while obviously evidence of a certain 
lack of self worth (or self-confidence in romance, see above), also 
indicates here a realization that he should be `good enough'for 
Hermione. Ron is coming into his own as an independent person, 
recognizing that he has legitimate needs and desires that deserve 
fulfillment as much as Harry or anyone else.

Of course, this rambling note presents me with a quandary. Ron's 
growing sense of entitlement could well be the very thing others 
have suggested (more or less) which will lead to his death. While I 
would believe that Ron is already shown to be brave enough to 
sacrifice himself for Harry if need be, the desire to stand in his 
own sunlight could be the very vehicle He Who Must Not Be Named 
could use to ensnare him to his downfall. 

And as to the Ron/Hermione SHIP issue (noted above), it would be 
typical of JKR's greatness as a writer, in a series that grows
more complex and mature with each volume, to set up the scenario for 
the relationship and then have Ron die. The growing sense of realism 
and tragedy would easily allow for that. (Has anyone commented on 
Voldemort as the ultimate terrorist?)

Again, I fear for Ron's life as the story unfolds. Yet, I defend
him against those who find him needing encouragement. I think those 
posts just reveal how much we all love Ron as one of the most 
wonderful characters of JKR's imaginative genius.

"htfulcher"