Acceptable Abuses?

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 95818


Karenocl wrote:
> Thank you all for your interesting replies!
> 
> Let me just say that I feel that everyone on this discussion list 
> realizes that we are reading a work of fiction.  And I think that 
> discussing plot inconsistencies (eg, Dumbledore upset with one type 
> of abuse and not about another) is definitely legit.
> 
> I really want to discuss Dumbledore.  Is he the greatest headmaster 
> at Hogwarts?  How much do these little inconsistencies affect 
> readers' response to him?  (After all, inconsistent character 
> responses to social issue--regardless of whether social issues 
should 
> or should not be superimposed on JKR's fictional world--will affect 
> readers' responses.  The days of the New Critics are long gone.)
> 
> Personally, I think that JKR's point about Dumbledore is that these 
> final days of his are his most important test.  The last rise of 
> Voldemort will determine whether or not Dumbledore was the greatest 
> headmaster of Hogwarts, because this is the time where how he helps 
> shape his students characters will affect how they respond if 
tempted 
> (or coerced) to joining Voldemort's company.

Potioncat:
Some words just get people going! "Snape" is one, turns out, so 
is "Molly."  ;-)

I was already thinking that most of us missed your point.  The issue 
is, how does DD feel about Snape's methods? Why does he tolerate 
them?  I don't think we'd question Snape's position at Hogwarts if 
someone like Fudge was the headmaster because we wouldn't expect so 
much from him. But because DD is the headmaster and he is so good, 
and friendly and caring, it's hard to understand his allowing the 
techniques Snape uses.

IMHO, DD sees Snape as harsh, but well intentioned and DD often seems 
to accept people as they are.  He must think Snape does more good 
than harm. And I think he knows Snape well enough to know where he is 
coming from and why he does what he does.  


Along that line, is the discussion about Crouch!Moody teaching the 
Unforgivables to the class.  What did DD know, and when did he know 
it, and what did he do about it?  It's hard to believe he gave 
permission, it's hard to beleive he didn't know about it at some 
point.  It's hard to understand.


Is DD the greatest headmaster Hogwarts has ever had?  He may be the 
greatest wizard in history (after Merlin, of course), but as an 
educator....I'm not so sure.  The problem is, just with Snape's 
teaching, it's hard not to step out of the WW and into the RW to form 
opinions. 

DD's goal is to defeat LV and he's made decisions at Hogwarts to that 
end. But, given that it will be these young people and the ones not 
far ahead of them, who fight LV,  that may be the best path to 
follow.

 
Potioncat