Dumbledore and Favoritism in CoS

[Tom Wall <thomasmwall@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51422


I wrote:
<snip>
In other words, defending Harry is not a difficult 
task, since JKR has already made the case more 
eloquently than any of us could: because she deliberately 
wrote the books from that exact perspective.

Catherine replied:
<snip>
But I also don't think that JKR writes in such a black and white way 
as you imply, particularly with regard to the characters who are 
generally perceived to be "good". I can't actually think of 
one "good" character who is portrayed in such a whiter-than-white, 
cardboard cutout way to the extent that everyone without exception 
would find nothing bad to say about them.

I reply:
I'm not sure that I intended to take that route, and if that's how I 
was perceived then I'm sorry. I mentioned a response to something 
like this in another post today, but to paraphrase myself: when Harry 
is rude, we understand why he is rude. When he breaks the rules, we 
understand why he breaks the rules. When he lies, we understand why 
he lies.

And so on and so forth. 

I wasn't trying to imply that the characters are 'whiter-than-white,' 
merely that we are already given explanations for their shortcomings 
and lapses. Which is why I made the (most dreadful) mistake of saying 
that we didn't need defenses of Harry, since that's what the series 
was already. 

Anyone who has read the books understands why Harry's acting the way 
he does, even if it's unreasonably, and even if we disagree with his 
actions, even if we find them annoying.

Incidentally, that defense of Harry bit was only a reference to your 
post, not a dig at you or what you had to say. BTW: I enjoyed reading 
your post immensely, but the language of the title kind of got me 
thinking along the lines of what I just wrote.


Catherine wrote:
Again, I'm sorry that you think this perspective is "boring", but I 
refuse to sit on my thumbs and not respond while a character I am 
very fond of is attacked.

I reply:
Ahh, to turn back the clock and subtract a word. Nearly all of the 
criticism I've gotten today has been over that word "boring." Boring, 
was, perhaps, not the best word that I could have used. There are 
others, but I'm not sure that anyone would have liked those much more 
either.

I guess that it seems to me that it's just the 'easiest' route to 
take, a defense of Harry, no matter how heartfelt it is, especially 
since JKR has already explained to us why Harry does what Harry does 
in the books.

And although I understand that everyone's opinion is valid and equal 
and so forth, it's mildly disappointing that no one has responded to 
that post with much in the way of agreement, or supplement... 
everyone responded to the post with defenses of Harry.

So aside from the two who posted, in the 'characters you hate' thread 
that they hate Harry, everyone must find him to be a-okay. Which is 
fine, you know, perfectly valid and all that, not trying to discount 
anyone's opinions.

That's okay - I understand why everyone likes Harry and is eager to 
defend him, his friends, his house, and his honor. I like Harry too, 
btw, otherwise I wouldn't be here. But that doesn't mean he isn't an 
annoying, insensitive, selfish, pig-headed, stubborn... kidding, 
kidding. :) Don't get your panties all twisted.


Catherine wrote:
And, to be perfectly honest, a character discussion which centres 
upon Harry comes up so rarely that I have to jump in when I can.  :-)

I reply:
I completely concur. Here's to more of them. :)

Cheers!

-Tom