Molly's Shortcomings

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 66157

Hey!  Welcome back, Penny!

Penny:

> MOLLY'S SHORTCOMINGS --  I know I won't be popular for saying it, 
>but Molly Weasley is rapidly becoming one of my least favorite 
>characters.  

I'm afraid I really have to agree.  The problem, as I see it, is that 
JKR intends for us to like Molly.  My reading of her from the first 
four books was generally favorable, and it seems that many HPfGU 
members feel similarly.  Her main job was taking care of her family, 
which is fine.  Then, at the end of GoF, we are given an indication 
that Molly will be integral to the fight against Voldemort.

Instead, we find out she is integral to the fight against dust 
bunnies!


>And my perception is that she's warmed to Ron solely because he's a 
>prefect now.  


Yeah, that's true.  But that's also very realistic.  Lots of mothers 
take visible pride in the accomplishments of their children, so I 
found this part of Molly's OoP characterization right on target.  
Indeed, if Molly had shrugged off Ron's appointment as prefect, 
*that* would have been out of character.  Indeed, if we are to 
believe Ron is under pressure to stand out like his brothers, then 
Molly's subtle pressure for him to be Head Boy is right on target.

Frankly, though, I would have liked it much better had Ron been a 
prefect and Hermione had not.  Then Hermione would have had to look 
to Ron to enforce the rules despite his reluctance to be in a 
position of authority.

Cindy