Generation parallels/ Lupin's personality (WAS Re: Lupin as next Headmaster)

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 78751

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jen Reese" <stevejjen at e...>
wrote:
 Jen:
>
> When Remus drops his pleasant manner, it doesn't seem calculated to
> me.  Like in POA, when he's angry with Harry about going to
> Hogsmeade, he comes across like any adult/parent who feels 
frustrated
> with a young person for not realizing how serious a situation is.
> Yes, he appeals to Harry on a very personal level, but he's allowed
> to given his relationship with James and Lily.

I don't think it's *calculated* precisely, but I do think it's 
conscious
and self-aware on his part.  Remus knew what response he wanted to
produce in Harry, and he knew exactly what to say in order to produce
it.  He wasn't doing it just to be mean -- it was necessary both for
Harry's safety and for his growth as a person that he be made to
understand exactly why he was wrong to go into Hogsmeade -- but Remus
didn't just blurt out those comments about James and Lily because 
they were the first thing that came to mind.

I think Remus is well aware of the way most people respond when a
normally quiet, mild-mannered person suddenly shows a strong 
reaction. It's much more effective than a hot-headed person having 
yet another burst of temper.

>
> Then in OOTP, with Molly, once again he lays out the facts in a 
very
> matter of fact way, minus the anger he felt in the above situation.
> Example: "Molly, that's enough," said Lupin firmly.  "This isn't 
like
> last time. The Order are better prepared, we've got a head 
start....
> He seems very straight-forward to me, with a good ability to 
connect
> with people, not through manipulation, but just plain old empathy
> from a guy who has been through a lot.

But empathy is exactly what makes successful manipulation work.
Empathy, sensitivity and insight, all of which Remus has in spades. 
He knows what makes the people around him tick, and he knows the 
right thing to say, and he says it when he thinks it's necessary -- 
except when he's too afraid to speak up.  I don't think he 
manipulates people maliciously or gratuitously, but he does do it.

>  I guess what I'm trying to say is I agree his default is polite 
and
> deferential, but Remus can say what he thinks MOST of the time as 
an
> adult.  JR

Most of the time, yes.  But he has been known to fail at crucial
moments.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com