[HPforGrownups] Re: Why Lupin can't be evil!

[music4masses]

No: HPFGUIDX 75471

At 08:53 PM 8/4/2003, you wrote:

>--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Melanie Black
><princessmelabela at y...> wrote:
>Sorry, but the impostor Moody uses Voldemort's name.
>
>JKR also obviously doesn't buy the theory that victims of
>prejudice or evil  can't be prejudiced or evil  themselves.  The
>centaurs, the giants and  the goblins are all shown to be victims
>of prejudice, and yet they are all shown either attacking wizards
>unjustly or considering whether to join Voldemort.
>
>Pippin

I think being the victim of prejudice is a definite aspect of Lupin's 
character and personality, but, unlike the centaurs, he doesn't show 
prejudice back. It's clear that giants et al. are capable of bigotry. There 
is nothing in the text that indicates Lupin is himself prejudiced. Quite 
the contrary. He's very respectful, even to Snape, and encourages it in Harry.

Furthermore, it is important that Lupin has an affliction that he must live 
with. Rowling has even talked about that, especially in the context of her 
mother who has MS. My aunt has MS. It's a terrible struggle. Lupin seems to 
represent that.

Then, there's plot reasons why it doesn't jive that he's evil. Why didn't 
he sabotage Harry's rescue at the beginning? He was perfectly positioned to 
do so. Why did he jump between Malfoy and Harry/Neville during the "battle" 
scene? He could've been hurt. He then saved Harry from crossing the Veil. 
Then there's the all too real reaction to Sirius's death. That was the 
opposite of contrived. Misguided and weak at times? Yes. Evil? Sure doesn't 
seem so.

There's a ton of arguments I'm leaving out. Just a bit of backup to 
Melanie, who went out on a limb.

Erin