Dumbledore's Choice of Ron as Prefect (WAS: What I Liked Best About OOP

[elfundeb2]

No: HPFGUIDX 80662

Elle wrote:

> This has been a point of controversy on the list, but I must say 
that 
> I *really* liked the fact that Ron became the Gryffindor prefect 
> too.  I think that I was as shocked as Hermione was to realize that 
> Harry did not get the badge.  I agree that becoming a prefect *has* 
> helped Ron to emerge from Harry's shadow.  

I think Dumbledore's choice of Ron over Harry was inspired, and very 
much in character for him. Dumbledore, of all people, does not seem 
to make his staff decisions based on one's accomplishments or 
*merit*. Just think of Snape, Trelawney and Hagrid. As Hagrid says, 
he gives people chances. And a chance is exactly what Ron needed 
most -- because that's not how it works in the Weasley family; Molly 
scolds and withholds the reward until the child brings home the 
prize. 

Dumbledore's motivational methods proved to be much better for Ron 
than Molly's harping on her childrens' failures.  Being chosen as 
prefect was the catalyst that set in motion Ron's eventual success at 
Quidditch, a success which I think represents far more than becoming 
a sports hero; it's a breakthrough for him because it's the first 
time he had faith in himself.   Without the prefect's badge, Ron 
would not have gotten a new broom.  And without the broom he 
persuaded Molly to buy him as his prefect reward, he would not have 
taken the step of trying out for Keeper.  It's the first time, in 
fact, that Ron manages to overcome his fear of failure sufficiently 
to do something for himself. 

Sure, he's an absolute failure at first (at being a prefect and at 
Quidditch), but that's because of his absolute lack of self-
confidence.  Dumbledore had no illusions that Ron would be an instant 
success. Certainly he could not have expected Ron to stand up to his 
older brothers, just as he cannot have expected Hagrid to be a great 
teacher straight out of the box. But Dumbledore very clearly believes 
that people learn best from experience, and that failure is a great 
teacher and motivator. If he didn't think so, Hagrid would be long 
gone from the CoMC job. It took Hagrid years to develop confidence 
and competence, and he's still riding the learning curve. I think Ron 
did quite a bit better than that.  

Ron was really due to have 
> some glory and I am glad that he is finally getting his share.  
> Conversely, by not getting the prefect badge, Harry was forced to 
> deal with feelings of jealousy towards Ron--a new twist on an old 
> theme in their friendship.  

What I thought was much more important than Ron getting glory was the 
fact that he was able to learn from his failures because Angelina 
refused to give up on him.  And when he got that moment of glory, he 
learned quickly how fleeting a reward it is.  I really loved how 
quickly he flattened down his carefully ruffled hair and stopped 
focusing on his moment in the sun as soon as he learned about Grawp.  
I think JKR is really good about those little details.

> Elle (who finds herself more impressed with Ron on the latest re-
read 
> of the series and is considering becoming a card-carrying member of 
> CRAB)

Debbie, who's polishing up a C.R.A.B. badge for Elle right now