Ron's academic achivements in book 5

[queenofeverythang]

No: HPFGUIDX 77508

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Susanne 
<siskiou at e...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Friday, August 15, 2003, 11:51:03 AM, Przemyslaw wrote:
> 
> > Therefore I respectfully submit notion of Ron being worse 
than Harry
> > in 
> > classes is no longer valid.
> 
> I actually don't recall Ron *ever* being much worse than
> Harry in their classes.
> 
> They seem pretty equal, overall.
> 

i never got the impression while reading any of the books that 
Ron was flunking his classes - I thought He just hated 
homework and tests and isn't that (dare i say) normal?


> Of course, Harry is the main character and has inherited all
> this talent (or was some of it transferred from LV?) and can
> do some things without even having to practice much (like 
flying, being a
> keeper, defeating the Imperius Curse). He also receives a lot 
more
> individual tutoring in some areas, while other students are
> just not even thought capable at the same age.
> 
> I'm sure the Patronus could be achieved by a lot more
> students at a younger age, if they just received
> instructions.
> 
> I'm actually a little surprised how hard magic seems to come
> to most students. Hermione seems to be the only one in their
> year who can do anything on the first try.
> Most kids seem to have trouble remembering simple
> incantations, or follow a potion recipe written down right
> in front of them, for some reason.
> 
> -- 
> Best regards,
>  Susanne                           mailto:siskiou at e...

This isn't exactly a response to what you said, but rather it was 
inspired by it.  (sorry if thats against protocol).

A major difference between Ron's experience of Hogwarts and 
H&H's experience is that the wizarding world is not new to Ron. 
Hermione and Harry (yes, after five years) are still getting a 
handle on the world of magic verses the muggle world they lived 
in most of their life. This is why Ron is so important to the trio.
He 
is the eye of the wizarding world, he may not have the facts that 
Hermione does but he has the culture of it ingrained in him. 

Whats my point? Do I have one? Let me see... I guess i'll use 
this analogy -

a  student who lives in a place where education is a priviledge, 
taking full advantage of all a school has to offer, realizing that
this 
is the key to their success and it is up to them to make the most 
of it - vs- a student who knows that they'll have to go to school, 
taking for granted the fact that they will eventually graduate, and 
hoping that they won't get in trouble if they fail one or two 
classes.

A large part of Hermione's achievements are due to her 
personality and natural ability, but also her desire to make the 
most of this opportunity she was given. She truly realizes that 
going to Hogwarts is a priviledge, I think this is what sets 
her apart from the rest. Other students, I'm sure, have as much 
ability as Hermione but they may be missing that last little bit to 
push them. Why would Ron read Hogwarts a history anyway? 
He's the 8th Weasley to go to Hogwarts, I'm sure he heard 
enough about Hogwarts to write a book of his own - or so he 
may think.
 
And the only way to mess up a potion that is right in front of you 
(unless you're Neville) is if you weren't paying attention- a very 
easy thing to do in a class you hate/you're just taking because 
you have to. 

-QoE