[HPforGrownups] Family ties vs. Choice

[Carol Bainbridge]

No: HPFGUIDX 44507

bugaloo37 wrote:
>There have been some pretty interesting conjectures lately about
>Snape's family tree and whether or not he is in some way related to
>Lily or perhaps, even James Potter.  As I have stated before, IMO,
>JKR is a strong supporter of the importance of choices in our lives.

I agree with you, although I'm not sure how Snape's family tree fits 
in.  Whether or not Snape is related in some way to Harry, he too has 
choices he has to make, and I can see it as perfectly feasible that Snape 
chose to leave the DE's for an honorable reason, such as warning the 
Potters of Voldermort's plan to kill them. Whether that choice is prompted 
by Snape's ties to the Potters or not doesn't really change the fact that 
Snape did choose to leave Voldemort.  That we know for sure.  (Well, so far 
anyway.)

bugaloo37 continued:
>I believe that all themes in HP-"blood purity" i.e.,family heritage-
>wealth/poverty-boil down to the simple issue of choice.  IMO, there
>are two groups that all HP characters can be placed in:  1) those who
>believe that family heritage-"blood-purity",wealth, status/power are
>important and that individual merit is to be overlooked if the other
>above components are not present. <snip>
>and 2) those who believe that a person must make up his own
>mind-be his own person, regardless of what family heritage he has. He
>must rely on his own strength of character and judges others
>according to theirs.

I couldn't agree more.  We see this sort of thing all the time in the 
books.  I think the first hint of this theme came when Harry told Malfoy 
that he could decide for himself who the right wizard families were.  That 
comment put him squarely in the camp of those who will make up their own 
minds.

bugaloo37 again:
>In other words, IMO, iregardless of what family
>heritage Harry has-good or evil-, it is up to him to decide what path
>to choose.  The same can be said of every character in HP including
>Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Draco Malfoy, the Weasleys, and Snape.  Tom
>Riddle became the heir of Slytherin because he chose to be.  The same
>way that Harry chose to be in Gryffyndor.  As Dumbledore says:
>(paraphasing) its our choices that matter.

I agree again.  Harry also makes many of his choices for unselfish reasons 
and often at great risk, both of which I think shows his 
character.  (Choosing to break school rules and try to save the 
Sorcerer's/Philosopher's stone, in spite of the fact that he knew it would 
be extremely dangerous and could, at the very least, get him thrown out of 
school.)  He also gives up attendance at the Halloween Feast in order to do 
a good deed for Nearly Headless Nick and attend his deathday party instead 
in order to put in a good word for him with the head of the Headless Hunt 
group.

>bugaloo37-who never fails to marvel at JKR's mastery of the ability
>to put forth such important life lessons in such simple terms.

What amazes me too is the number of people who refuse to give JKR the 
credit she deserves.  I know several people who read at least one of the 
books and think they're "cute."  Then when I try to explain the hidden 
complexity, I get a mental pat on the head and a look of sincere pity for 
my delusions.



>
>________HPFGU______Hexquarters______Announcement_______________
>
>Before posting to any list, you MUST read the group's Admin File!
>http://www.hpfgu.org.uk/admin
>
>Remember to use accurate subject headings and to snip unnecessary material 
>from posts to which you're replying!
>
>Is your message...
>An announcement of merchandise, news, a website etc.? Send it to 
>HPFGU-Announcements.
>Movie-related? Book-movie comparison? Send it to HPFGU-Movie.
>Referencing *only* the books? Send it to HPforGrownups.
>None of the above? OT? Send it to HPFGU-OTChatter.
>Unsure? Other questions? Ask your personal List Elf or the Mods -- 
>mods at hpfgu.org.uk
>
>Unsubscribing? Email hpforgrownups-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com
>____________________________________________________________
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Carol Bainbridge
(kaityf at jorsm.com)

http://www.lcag.org