[HPforGrownups] OOP: Harry and violence (spoilers)

[RSFJenny19 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 65867

In a message dated 6/29/2003 8:47:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
scaryfairymary at hotmail.com writes:


> 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.
> 

Mary,
I agree with you almost totally :)  I cheered when he did it too (it seemed a 
bit of a coming of age to me), but when his Cruciatus curse didn't work  
effectively and Bellatrix explained why, I was a teeny bit relieved because, well, 
even if Bellatrix is evil etc., I wondered if he'd have a hard (harder, I 
should say) time living with himself later on knowing he'd done such a thing to 
someone, even someone as foul as Bellatrix.

But I thought his use of it was the most effective way to show the utter and 
total rage he was feeling over the murder of Sirius.

So I didn't find it surprising or condemnable either, but I'm still relieved 
that he doesn't have another burden of knowing he inflicted pain like that on 
another person.

~Jenny


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