Uber-perfect Cedric (WAS: What's annoying about Harry/Characters you hate)

[Marie Jadewalker <marie_mouse@hotmail.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51544

vojoca wrote:
<<< Harry never *did* get to know Cedric, which is partly why it 
annoyed me so much, I think.  He just basically saw Cedric as the 
epitome of perfectness that I hoped (and still do, even after what 
happened in GoF) that we would find out about some sort of deep dark 
secret that made him not-so-perfect.  (oooohh maybe we will!! crosses 
fingers)  After all, the ones who seem oh-so-perfect are usually the 
ones who have the most to hide (based on my experience, anyway.)>>>  

me:  
We may find out something not-so-nice about Cedric in the following 
books, but I would be somewhat surprised if we did.  I know it can be 
a bit annoying to have uber-perfect characters, but I think Cedric 
was portrayed as being so perfect precisely *because* JKR knew he was 
going to be the first student death.  To me, it's somewhat analogous 
to Beth in _Little Women_ -- she's somewhat idealized because you 
later feel more sorrow at her death.  I know it's not a straight 
analogy – LM Alcott was remembering the death of her own sister when 
she wrote Beth, so that could be the cause for *her* idealization, 
but since JKR had the series planned, I think she at least knew 
Cedric was ill-fated so she let his short life be a bit idyllic.  

Vojaca again:
> But seriously.  All I *really really* want is to find out some sort 
> of flaw about the tall handsome seeker of the hufflepuff quidditch 
> team who's a better school champion who takes care of his wand who 
> gets the girl.  Then I wouldn't be as annoyed with him :-p

Well, we at least got one less-than-ideal view of Cedric through 
Harry's jealousy (brainless etc).  And I think that Cedric's 
essentially good nature goes with the themes of innocents (unicorns) 
dying first from PS/SS and Dumbledore's final speech in GOF:


"Remember Cedric.  Remember if the time should come when you have to 
make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what 
happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he 
strayed into the path of Lord Voldemort.  Remember Cedric Diggory" 
(American Hardback 724, chapter 37).

If we later find out that Cedric had skeletons in the closet, it 
would cheapen that moment on re-reading it.  It could happen, of 
course -- we've been set up to assume things are innocent/innocuous 
before when they weren't (Scabbers leaps to mind), but I hope it 
doesn't.  

Of course, all of this doesn't mean your annoyance at Cedric is 
unjustified -- I understand your feelings.  Even Beth annoys me 
sometimes.  ;)  But I would bet that Cedric's memory will be allowed 
to stay pure, if I were betting.  

~Marie