JKR's Theme (was OoP: The Redemption of Tom Riddle) SPOILERS

[Liz Muir]

No: HPFGUIDX 62175

Darrin wrote:
>To have Harry's life dictated by a prophecy goes against 
>everything the books say in terms of choices mattering more than 
>blood and the right path over the easy path.

Or is it? We have seen several instances in the book where blood and 
inborn talent has mattered. JKR seems to have a slight paradox (if 
that's the word I'm looking for?) about this. JKR does not deny that 
some things you cannot control. You are born with or without them. 
Neville, for example, try has hard as he might, was not born with a 
great talent in magic. It's not his fault, but he can't do much about 
it. Harry was born with Slytherin qualities (CoS) but chooses to 
fight them and be a Gryffindor. Also, quidditch talent. Even the 
basic concept of being born a wizard. It's not the muggles fault they 
are muggles. It's not the squib's fault they are squibs.

I would state JKR's theme in a slightly different way than you have 
chosen: Although you have no control over your birth and 
circumstances, it's what you do with them that counts. Harry is not 
dictated by prophecy. It's how Harry reacts to and uses the prophecy 
that matters, not that the prophecy is there. It's if Neville decides 
to find where he IS talented and improve on that. If muggles chose to 
loath magic (Dursleys) or accept it (Grangers). If those born squibs 
become bitter and cruel (Argus) or helpful and accepting (Mrs. Figg). 
It is how we act IN AND TO OUR CIRCUMSTANCES that shows who we are, 
not only how we can. The choices you make are important but the 
circumstances also shape us.

What will Harry chose to do about the prophecy? Will he deny it? Try 
to break it? Be murdered? Murder? It's his reaction to the prophecy 
that shapes him.

Rowen Avalon, who is feeling very brilliant at having discovered this