[HPforGrownups] Re: Book Review: The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter (long)

[Susanne]

No: HPFGUIDX 49077



Hi,

Wednesday, January 01, 2003, 4:29:10 PM, jenny_ravenclaw wrote:

> If he 
> had heard as a child that giants were good (let's say he overheard the 
> twins talking), that's what he would have repeated to Harry... and Ron 
> would have believed it, still without any proof.

Well, this sounds pretty much like the way most children
make up their opinions, until life makes it possible for
them to change their minds.
Ron is only 11 when the series starts out, and most kids I
know aren't going on any crusades to prove wrong what
they've heard all their lives until much older.

Should Ron say to Hermione and Harry that Voldemort might
really not be so bad? After all, he's never met the guy
personally and only heard about all the horroble things he's
supposed to have done?

I didn't see Ron be prejudiced against Hagrid, even if he is
half giant.
If this means he's easily influenced...

Hermione is a Muggle and knows nothing about the WW, except
what she read in books after receiving her letter.

Of course she has to make up her own mind about just about
everything, since her family couldn't pass on anything about
the WW to her.
It's a totally different world for her (and Harry, too. He
really *should* read a bit more and try to make up his own
mind about all the new things around him. He seems to be
pretty content in letting other people tell him about it,
without probing any deeper. He shows a surprising lack of
curiosity, almost as if he doesn't want to know too much.)

I agree that Ron is one of the most "real" people in the HP
books, and some people seem to expect entirely too much of
the characters <g>.

Would we really want only cardboard characters who never
make a single mistake?

Isn't it easier to identify with characters who have flaws
like we all do, and see them overcome some preconceived
notions and change their minds, and generally grow up?
And more enjoyable to read their story?

There is still a lot all of the young characters have to
learn (and some of the older ones, too <g>), and I like to
see them struggle with their choices instead of being sure
they'll always do what's considered morally right.

It would be boring and patronizing and we wouldn't have much
to discuss here, I think.

-- 
Best regards,
 Susanne                           mailto:siskiou at earthlink.net