The Purpose of the Weasleys (was; Saving every Sickle)

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 59372

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "marephraim" <htfulcher at c...> 
wrote:
 
> Ron is like a lot of teenage/slightly pre-teenage boys. He's from a 
> larger family, has picked up on the 'we're not too well off 
> financially' motif of the family, and attempts to react in 
> a 'mature' manner by being cynical. It's one of his most endearing 
> qualities. Ron is dealing with a true frustration as well as the 
> incipient drive to move outside his expected mediocrity (a la his 
> family's status in the WW), compounded by the fact that his best 
> friend is the most famous wizard of the age, and his would-be girl 
> friend is the smartst witch of her generation. What Ron needs is to 
> bask in the glow of his own glory for a while, which may come in 
> OoP, eh?>

It is interesting to me that you find Ron's unhappiness with his 
family's monetary situation "endearing", because I do not.  While I 
do understand his embarrassment at shabby dress robes and his 
resentment of people like Harry and Draco who have access to plenty 
of money, I think his issues go a bit deeper and are more problematic 
than they seem.

Ron brings up his family's situation when it isn't necessary and 
holds on to his bad feelings a little too long, like on the train to 
Hogwarts after Draco saw his dress robes draped over Pig's cage.  I 
understand that at the age of 14, families are nothing short of 
mortifying (I remember being highly embarrassed every time my mom 
opened her mouth, no matter what she said), but Ron seems to lack 
respect for the job his parents do.  It is commendable that his 
father works as hard as he does and that he has chosen a lower-ranked 
position rather than compromise his beliefs or suck up to Fudge.  
Others have mentioned this, but it is also to be noted that his 
parents somehow manage to provide for their children the things that 
they truly need.  Not all parents do that.

However, it isn't just Ron who is getting mixed signals from his 
parents regarding their situation.  Percy seems to be doubly 
motivated to do well for himself and wants to rise up in the ranks of 
the MoM; an increased salary must be at least some of his 
motivation.  Bill has chosen to work for a bank, dealing with money.  
Fred and George are very motivated to start their own business, which 
would definitely help them to be independent and could make then rich 
as well.  Ron just doesn't know what to do about his situation yet, 
so I suppose his frustrations are as much about feeling helpless, as 
he is too young to work.

Either way, Ron needs to find a way to be more content with who he 
is, or to find a way out of poverty, instead of wallowing, as he now 
prone to do.  As nice as it would be for Ron to have the spotlight 
(he certainly enjoyed it in PoA and GoF when he was in it), it is an 
unlikely scenario for him in the long-run and permanently, IMO.  
Besides, who says he can't do great things quietly?

--jenny from ravenclaw ******************************************