[HPforGrownups] Re: Quidditch: Ron, Wizarding population and the rules

[Sherry Garfio]

No: HPFGUIDX 49829

Oh, happy day!  And isn't it amazing how much this group can read into a mere 6
sentences of OoP???

Now, on to my reply:

Ali wrote:
> Much has been said about Ron the strategist and Ron the Quidditch 
> devotee, but has anyone questioned why his favourite team is so 
> lacklustre? Echoing again Debbie's suggestion that Quidditch is a 
> Metaphor for the unfolding story in the Potterverse, can anything be 
> read into the fact that Ron is passionate about a team who's motto is
> "let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best" (QTTA 
> p.33).
> 
> Whilst it is true that team support often runs geographically or 
> through families, it is also true that fans follow success. In 
> Britain this is particularly true of youngsters flocking in their 
> droves to support Manchester United. Ron though is loyal to a team 
> who on recent performance (i.e. the last century) have little hope of 
> success, yet his greatest desire in life is to be successful. We see 
> this in his vision of upholding the Quidditch cup and becoming Head 
> Boy in the Mirror of Erised. Ron appears confused, fighting between 
> mediocrity (as represented by his love of the "Canons" and his 
> feelings about poverty) and his desire for attainment and success.

I see this as evidence that Ron's loyalty is greater than his ambition.  He
clings to a team that has seen better days in the hope that they will once
again someday (I know how this feels as I am a Denver Broncos fan).  In the
same way, he will stick with Harry no matter how dark things get, which,
considering who Harry's enemies are, could be very dark indeed.

Maybe the Cannons will recruit Krum or some other star player, and suddenly
turn around and become a huge success.  If Quidditch is indeed a metaphor for
the unfolding story, then this could foreshadow Harry's eventual defeat of
Voldemort.  Especially if it happens near the end of the series and things are
looking really, really bad for The Good Side.  Or, maybe Ron will abandon his
beloved Cannons in favor of the team du jour, which would foreshadow Ron's
betrayal of Harry that some on this list have speculated will happen (please,
no!).

In any case, you've got me thinking that maybe we should pay more attention to
Ron's team.

Sherry



=====
"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers."

      -Dave Barry, "Things That It Took Me 50 Years to Learn"

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