Theories and Questions...

[ggershman77 <ggershman77@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52590

<snip> 
> And Lupin doesn't say that he doesn't know much about fighting 
> dementors.  What he says is:  "I don't pretend to be an expert at 
> fighting Dementors, Harry - quite the contrary."  So while he may 
not 
> be an expert, Lupin clearly does know what needs to be done and how 
> to teach Harry to do it.
> 
> ~Phyllis

Lupin is the one who teaches Harry about mastering his emotions.  The 
whole of PoA is about this idea.  We start with Harry losing control 
of his emotions and inflating Aunt Marge.  We move to Hogwarts, where 
Harry is confronted by Dementors, and his fear that they bring on.  
Lupin, who as a werewolf, represents one who must learn to master his 
uncontrollable urges and emotions, is the perfect teacher to instruct 
Harry as to how this is to be done.  Lupin's statement can be read 
as, "I dont pretend to be an expert at mastering my emotions, Harry - 
quite the contrary; I must resort to medication to conquer my anger 
and have worked hard to master my fear.  But we must work to conquer 
these feelings within ourself."

Harry, by the end of the book, learns this lesson well, as he masters 
his emotion of anger by employing mercy and sparing Pettigrew's 
life.  Ironic that Lupin, who had forgottent to take his "anger 
medication" was ready to murder Peter.

I have thought about this, and was wondering what JKR was trying to 
say.  I am guessing she is trying to show, via Lupin, that even if we 
claim that we are not in control of ourselves, or a predisposed to a 
certain vice or emotion, we must work to conquer this, even if this 
means we have to adhere to a strict medicinal regimine.  That becomes 
our challenge, which might actually be easier, but more precarious 
than dealing with it internally.

Greg
Harry Potter Prognostications - http://hpprogs.blogspot.com/