Pensieves objectivity AND: Dumbledore's integrity

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 79513

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kirstini" <kirst_inn at y...> 
wrote:
> I 
> don't think any of the parents on list would be able to claim that 
> OoP is the sort of book you'd pick to read to your five year old,

I don't think that SS is appropriate for most 5 year olds either,
but that's just me I guess (and I have an almost 5 yo boy).
But the problem with the serie is that the early books are
aimed at a younger audience than the later books. It was not much
of a problem when they were being published - the kids who read
SS at 8 yo were old enough to appreciate OoP when it came out.
The problem I see is with the present 7-8 year olds...

> Pip and I have both highlighted areas where DD's actions have been 
> ambiguous. During the "gleam of triumph" bit in GoF, Harry catches 
a 
> glimpse of another, altogether more frightenting side of DD. There 
> must have been hints, if so many people on the list *have* picked 
up 
> on them.

The problem for Dumbledore is that his main goal is to defeat
Voldemort. Everything else is a means to that end, including Harry
himself. Dumbledore concedes that his weakness is that he grew to
love Harry, thus not being able to use him effectively as the
tool to destroy Voldemort. In OoP Dumbledore was able to make
the switch and while he will still care for Harry very much,
I think that he is ready to sacrifice him - whether his life or
his happiness to achieve the ultimate goal.

This may seem like cold calculation to you, but when you fight
pure evil you have to make sacrifices and use whatever tools
you have, and Dumbledore is the leader in that battle.

> By telling Harry "I cared more about your life than the 
> other lives which would be lost", DD implies that he is *now* 
putting 
> those lives before Harry's.

Actually what he said was that he was willing to put other lives at
risks if that would promote Harry's happiness. I think he still cares
about Harry's *life* more than that of others (including his own)
and for good reason. Harry has to live if Voldemort is to be defeated
(at least until he is defeated - he can die after...).


> after all, have we really learned something new about Dumbledore 
or 
> about Harry?  Harry is the one who changed in book 5 - everyone 
has 
> noticed it.

Harry changed, but so did Dumbledore. He is sadder, angrier and
more willing to use and manipulate people, even those he cares
for, to reach his goal. But the change is inevitable - he is
directing an army in a war.

> I for one really hope he's snapped out of the whining 
> and shouting by Book 6. Although I doubt it.

I think he has for the most part. I believe that the next
book will show us the development of Harry as a leader, something
that we've seen the beginning of in book 5. I think that his
ability to lead and inspire loyalty of his followers will be
crucial for the final confrontation. It is also an indication
of the "equality" with Voldemort - who has his own army of
followers.

Salit