[HPforGrownups] Saving every Sickle (Was: Percy and the Weasleys' finances)

[Janet Anderson]

No: HPFGUIDX 59186

>I think that it's a great thing for the Weasley family to do.  *Everyone*
>should teach their children that money isn't the most important thing in 
>the
>world.  The Weasleys are teaching their children to value intangible things 
>more.

Yes, but they also need to consider the feelings of teenagers, for whom 
looking bad or different is a painful and traumatic experience. If Molly 
actually couldn't afford new robes for Ron, that's one thing (and that's the 
impression I got). If she actually could have gotten him something better 
and made him wear "girly" robes to make a point, that's something altogether 
different, rather heartless in my opinion, and likely to embitter him and 
make him turn away from the very values she thinks are important.  If you 
had the kind of parents who made you eat things you detested because "that's 
all there is and we can't afford to waste food," you would at least know 
they weren't just being arbitrary. But if you were told you had to eat it 
"because children are starving elsewhere," did you actually learn anything 
besides resentment?

If what the Weasleys learn is that poverty is no obstacle to a loving home 
and family, they will probably be safe from Voldemort's influence (even 
Percy, who in my opinion is the weak link). If what they learn is that their 
parents' political values are unpleasant and there are other values 
elsewhere which are much more pleasant, they'll be much more vulnerable to 
people like Fudge and the people on the Hogwarts Board of Governors who 
caved in every time Lucius Malfoy sneezed.


Janet Anderson


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An ordinary person says, "You have a face that would stop a clock." A 
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