[HPforGrownups] Re: Why were the sacrifices different? (was: A moral theory of Magic )

[Kimberly]

No: HPFGUIDX 95348

>-----  Siriusly Snapey Susan:
>Hmmmm.  Just because Voldy planned to kill James all along doesn't 
>negate James' death being a sacrifice, does it?  After all, you're 
>talking about *Voldy's* intention to kill James, not James' 
>intention to allow himself to be killed.  If James was just sitting 
>in a chair & Voldy walked in & murdered him before he even looked 
>up, I think I'd agree with you.  But in this case it's in James' 
>reaction to the confrontation where the sacrifice comes in.  It's 
>James' staying there to take on Voldy & to try to give Lily & Harry 
>time to run that makes his death sacrificial, imho.

*Kimberly's comments*
The very fact that he stayed there "to take on Voldy" suggests to me that
it wasn't a true sacrifice in that he gave himself up.   It's a very fine line.  I looked up the meaning of sacrifice and got this:

"Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.    Something so forfeited."

With James fighting there was a chance he would win and therefore, I feel, didn't give himself up or surrender to Voldemort as Lily did, without a fight at all.     Grant it, they both gave their life for Harry but there's a slight difference in how it transpired.    I think that perhaps this is why there is more emphasis on Lily's sacrifice than James.    That and the fact that she put the charm on Harry that allowed Harry to survive at all.  

Kimberly


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.650 / Virus Database: 416 - Release Date: 4/4/2004

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]