Evil Is As Evil Does (WAS Evil is not something you can deal with lightly. )

[ggershman77 <ggershman77@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51605

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Cindy C. <cindysphynx at c...>" 
<cindysphynx at c...> wrote:
> Heidi wrote:
> 
> > I think I first must admit that I haven't followed the "ever so 
> >evil" discussions to date to the level of knowing exactly what 
> >definition of *evil* we're working from but if I'm to accept 
> >Cindy's, well, then... 
> > 
> > Isn't every single character in canon, other than possibly Eloise
> > Midgen, ever so evil? 
> 
> <snip>
> 
> > Causing ruin, injury or pain? Ron, during the Yule Ball
> > Purportedly bad? Harry, going to Hogsmeade
> > Blameworthy? Lupin, who didn't take his Wolfsbane
> > Characterized by anger? McGonnagal, taking points from Harry, 
> >Hermione and Neville
> 
<snip> 

I have been following this discussion, and would just like to add my 
two cents.

I think what we are missing here is context.  Each of the books has a 
specific context or theme, and the characters explore that theme in 
each of the books, each according to their own approach.  Certain 
characters we know as good, others as bad, others as misguided.  We 
learn about the theme through the characters approach to it.

For example, Hermione always takes a rational approach, which ends up 
to be somewhat lacking in connection to reality.  Thus in book one, 
she decries the rule-breaking that eventually saves her life, and 
realizes that she should revise her position (which she does).  
Draco, who we know as an evil character, always takes an evil 
approach.  So when Harry is famous, in CoS, Draco is jealous of that 
fame.

The point is, we know the characters, and we can deduce the approach 
to each specific theme as good or evil based on the identity of the 
character.  This doesnt mean that a character wont eventually change, 
but until then, they are used to demonstrate this specific approach.

I have been exploring this in more depth on my webpage, 
http://hpprogs.blogspot.com.

Greg
http://hpprogs.blogspot.com/