[HPforGrownups] Re: Pettigrew's choice

[Julie Holmes]

No: HPFGUIDX 55004

<----- Original Message -----
From: annemehr >
<<Julie and finwitch, I think you two are arguing in circles because you
are misunderstanding each other's points.>>

Actually, I'm not arguing. I'm discussing. Arguing implies something
negative to me, and I wasn't feeling negative about finwitch's and my
conversation. Holding different views does not an argument make.

<<Annemehr wrote:
Both of you agree that Peter did not, all on his own, get the idea to
join Voldemort and then seek him out.  You both agree that *Voldemort*
sought *Peter* out, and that Peter, out of fear, capitulated and
joined him.>>

Actually, I never said anything of the sort (perhaps you're confusing me
with someone else?), nor do I agree with what you've written, although it's
certainly possible. It's just not my take on Peter Pettigrew. I *never* said
that Peter didn't seek Voldemort out rather than vice versa. I *don't
believe* that Peter joined him out of fear; I believe he wanted to. I have
no idea what motivated Peter to join Voldemort. Perhaps canon will
eventually tell us. I think it will. It intrigues me that Dumbledore hints
to Harry that there may come a day that he is grateful for saving Peter.
Perhaps Peter's Gryffindor heroics are still yet to come. Perhaps the
Sorting Hat saw his potential. Who knows? Until Book 7 is in my hands, there
will always be room for speculation. (And there will probably be room for
speculation AFTER the series is completed by JKR; people like us want
details, details, details!)

<<finwitch is saying that the *explanation* for Peter
working for Voldemort is that he chose to save his own life rather
than refuse to betray his friends.>>

I understood what finwitch was saying, and I still do. I just don't believe
it. I have a different opinion. That doesn't mean I'm not understanding her
point.

<<Julie, I think what you mean is that capitulating because he was
afraid is not a valid *excuse* for what Peter did.  It is a valid
*explanation*, though -- i.e. it's the reason for what happened.>>

Yes, I'll concede the semantics. Even so...I don't think it's the right
explanation. I think it's the easy one to fall back on. I think the real
reason Peter became a Death Eater is not yet known to us, but I'm willing to
wager Malfoy's Gringotts account that it's a lot deeper than "OoOo I was
scaaaaaaared." That's just me, though. I realize that others take a
different view.

<<Annemehr
donning referee's uniform ;) >>

Perhaps finwitch feels differently, but I don't feel the need for refereeing
per se; I'm enjoying the conversation and the different ideas put forth,
even if I may not find all of them true for my take on HP.

~Julie