Molly's Shortcomings

[kiricat2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 66238

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Cindy C." <cindysphynx at c...> 
wrote:
> 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!

Oh, well, maybe that's not a Molly problem.  Maybe that's a JKR 
problem.  I think we were led astray at the end of GoF because it did 
seem like we were going to see another facet to Molly.  She cooks! 
She cleans! She raises bunches of kids! She takes down Death Eaters! 
She's a master of disguise! 

Well, no...she exteriminates doxies.  Maybe Dumbledore realized that 
someone had to hang around Headquarters keeping the stew simmering.  
So, yes, in that sense, Molly was a disappointment.  But, that's how 
she was written.

 Ron as prefect:
> 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.  

Me, too.  And she was doubly happy because 1) she didn't expect it 
and 2) she's had to deal with the disappointment of the twins who 
insist on going their own way and who make no bones about not caring 
about school accomplishments.

I've never been crazy about Molly mostly because I find her style of 
mothering annoying.  I don't doubt that she loves her kids, and is 
deeply hurt by Percy's attitude.  And,trying to manage a house with 
all those people on not a lot of money takes a certain skill set.  
But, her nagginess grates on me, even thought she's generally not 
doing it to nag.  I get the impression that she does it to be heard 
about all the hubbub of the family.

But, she's also got this over-protective streak about Harry.  In GoF, 
even though she's known Hermione for years, and knows she's a friend 
of Harry's and Ron's, she's quick to believe the gossip that was 
written about her.  And in OoP, she clearly does not think that 
Sirius is a good influence on Harry.  With perhaps some legitimate 
reasons, but it doesn't take her long to fire up into full-blown 
maternal avenger.  Her crack about Azkaban was low and I cheered 
Remus when he pointedly reminded her that she was not the only one at 
the table who cared about Harry.

So, while I can still cut Molly some slack, she's a low-level 
irritant.  And, I was disappointed that Molly's Order role didn't go 
anywhere.

Marianne