Draco's need to be (was: Reference to Harry's pureblood status)

[Melody]

No: HPFGUIDX 44196

Bugaloo 37 wrote:
>>I consider Draco to exemplify the absolutely worst aspects of human
nature. He is a reflection, of course, of his father. He assesses
people on their heritage and financial status. Harry, of course, does
the exact opposite. This is shown by who has chosen to be his two best
friends: Ron Weasley (impoverished) and Hermione Granger ( a
"mudblood").<<


Melody writes:
I think that is a bit harsh on Draco.  While he is not one of my
favorite characters, to say the least, I don't think his motives for
hating Hermione and Ron are based solely on thier stations in life.
I always felt Draco was more jealous of Ron and Hermione.  If Draco
had his way, he would be Harry's best friend and bask in the deflected
glory that is the Harry juggernaut.  Let me explain...

Having the father that he has, Draco has grown up believing that he
must be the best or at least better than those percieved as
not...ideal as evident of the conversation overheard in Mr. Borgin's
shop in CoS.  Kind of a family pride and honor thing like with
Neville.  Draco must carry on the family torch being the only child
and son.

Now, when your talents are not so evident and your intelligence is
about average and your looks are not earth stopping, you have to
resort to one of two ways of deceiving the world you are the best.

One way is to align yourself with powerful and well-known people.
(Elizabeth Hurley, for example, is quite good at this.)  Thus Harry is
an easy target.

The other way is to destroy the competition either physically or with
words.  Hence Draco's found love for bullying.

Since Draco failed, and failed quite quickly, in his small attempt of
making life long friends with famous Harry, he spends his days trying
to show the world that Harry is not so great to be desired.  By
bringing down Harry's reputation and mystic, Draco is really
accomplishing two tasks.  He is, of course, bring Harry down to normal
focus, but also Draco is trying to prove to himself that his deep
desire to be best friends with Harry is in fact nothing more than
unbridled hero worship.

Also from this failed attempt of friendship, Draco is now jealous of
Ron and Hermione.  Which leads to the next quote...


Bugaloo37 wrote:
>>He refers to Hermione in the worst possible terms as a "jumped up
mudblood"  He obviously feels Harry's regard for Hermione is
ill-placed. <<small cut>>  He also considers Ron a poor choice for a
friend-but this is based on the poverty of Ron's family-not his
heritage.<<


Melody writes:
Draco does not hate Ron and Hermione but is actually quite jealous of
them. That is why he cuts both of them down so much.

He wants to be them.

They alone have manage to ensnare Harry's ear and heart. (I'm talking
phileo- not ero- love.  Go away all you Draco and Harry Shippers.)
So Draco, in his defense to be Harry's friend, attacks the parts of
Ron and Hermione that he has and they do not.  By showing Harry thier
faults, Draco is, in his own mind, proving his case to be Harry's
close friend.  (Which does butt heads with Draco's other desire to
bring down Harry, but lets face it.  Subconsciously, we are all at
odds with our desires and are just trying to make them happen in one
way or another.  It is like a mental itch we just want to go away
either by satisfying it or balming it.)

I believe Draco's bullying is derived from this.  It is Draco's only
way of chopping down the other trees branches so he can be the tallest
and grandest.  The easiest branches to reach are the most basic and
most uncontrolled in life.  Hence why he goes for heredity.  In this
case, heredity of blood and money.

Draco also seems to attack Hermione's bloodline because frankly there
is little else he sees to pick.  He admits this in Mr. Borgin's shop
also that day.  I think that is why some like the idea that Draco
actually likes Hermione.  His only bully-line is her heritage.  It is
an easy target and one that brings lots of attention.  But
nevertheless, Draco waves that bloody shirt ever chance he gets.
(I hope that translates properly.  Bloody shirt in American is not
cursing but political.  I promise.)

As for Ron, he is the boy best friend of Harry.  The position so
desired by Draco.  Ron's family's lack of money is a easy branch to
strike.  Something Ron can't help nor avoid, but also Ron gives a
primal response to each and every time Draco taunts him.  It feeds
Draco's psyche.  Why bully those that ignore you?  It is the response
that bullies crave.  Draco gets two for the price of one with Ron.

And by the way, maybe it is me, but do ya'll think Draco really has a
best friend?  It seems Crabbe and Goyle are really closer to each
other than to Draco.  Draco seems to be out on his own a lot.
Surrounded by a lot of people, but they are just people.  Draco may be
jealous of just the friendship also.

So basically, while I do see Draco as the type to just chop down
everyone to make himself percieved as so great, he is particularly
harsh with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.  Harry for his cold shoulder, and
Ron and Hermione for thier ability to aquire what he wanted.

Poor Draco, the hardest life lesson is to make peace with not being
the most clever, most friendly, or most famous.

Melody