OOP: Harry and violence (spoilers)

grindieloe andie at knownet.net
Mon Jun 30 02:06:50 UTC 2003


No: HPFGUIDX 65866

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "scaryfairymary" 
<scaryfairymary at h...> wrote:
> s
> p
> o
> i
> l
> e
> r
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> s
> p
> a
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>    I have noticed while reading through some posts (although 
> glancing might be a better description) that any time the issue of 
> Harry's cruciatus curse on Bellatrix arises there seems to be a 
> generally accepted opinion that what he did was wrong.  Now dont 
get 
> me wrong, violence is unacceptable, but think of the 
circumstances.  
> She had just killed the person closest to Harry's heart, she 
> tortured Neville's parents to the point that they are now worse 
than 
> dead and whats more she *laughs* about it, taunting Harry and 
> deliberately trying to get a reaction.  I was seething (also 
finding 
> it hard to read as I tried desperately to blink the tears back so I 
> could continue reading).  I for one was *cheering* for Harry, and 
> when Bellatrix told him he had to *mean* the curse I was praying 
> he'd try again.
>    I'm not entirely sure why it came as a shock to people either.  
> If I remember correctly, Harry had once said that Sirius desrved 
the 
> dementors' kiss before he was aware of his innocence.  IMO, the 
kiss 
> from a dementor is a far bigger punishment than a cruciatus curse.  
> There was also a moment in the shrieking shack with Sirius, when 
> Harry mentioned that for the first time in his life he wanted his 
> wand to harm someone as opposed to merely protect himself.  This 
> happened when Harry was 13, he is now 15, older, bolder and also 
> going through a stage in his life that means his emotions 
> (particularly anger) are closer to the surface than ever.  
>   It is therefore my opinion that it is not altogether surprising 
or 
> indeed condemnable, that Harry performed (albeit badly) the 
> cruciatus curse.
> 
> I'd just like to see if there is anyone else who agrees with my 
> position on this.
> 
> Mary (who apologises for the lack of coherence in her argument but 
> is putting it down to lack of sleep due to Harry Potter overdose!!!)


I actually agree with your ideas.  I am not saying that I think it 
was wonderful that Harry tried the cruciatus curse; however, the same 
scene you referred to in PoA came to mind today when Harry wanted to 
harm Sirius when he thought he had betrayed his parents.  Granted, 
violence in not okay; and while I was initially surprised to see that 
Harry had muttered "crucio", I do see now that I should have somewhat 
expected it.  He was in one of his so-called "reckless rages". Yes, 
Bella deserved it, but I am sort of relieved that it didn't quite 
work for Harry.  I think it says something about who he is on the 
inside even though his anger was eating away at him at that moment.  

grindieloe :)
(finding that I like the new Harry a lot - anger, tantrums, and all)





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