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

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 62201

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Liz Muir" <rowen_lm at y...> wrote:
> 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.
> 

Rowan: 

> 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.


To second what Grey Wolf said and add mine own canon rebuttal, 
McGonagall says in OoP that nothing is wrong with Neville except a lack of 
confidence, which he starts gaining all the way through.

(I thought that was rich, coming from McGonagall, who has been second only 
to Snape in undermining Neville's confidence, but never mind.)

I always thought he got his Quidditch talent from his dad... 



> 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.

er... isn't this what I said? 

But, Dumbledore flat-out  tells Harry in the Lost Prophecy chapter that the 
prophecy means Harry's going to be killed or he's going to kill V-mort. End of 
story. No room for interpretation. Kill or be killed.

I reject that, especially coming from Mr. "choose the right path and choices 
matter more than blood" Dumbledore. I ultimately think Harry will reject it.


> 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.


Again, all what I said, but D-Dore leaves him no wiggle room at all, which is 
why I think Harry will reject this and find his own path, one Dumbledore hasn't 
conceived.

Darrin