The Fear Factor

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 91522

Juhu wrote: 
The concept of fear has been quite constant throughout
this series, and I'm wondering how it will pan out in
the future. The only big "Look at this!" flags have
been the fact that Dumbledore is the only one Voldy
ever feared, and this comment from Lupin:

" '...I didn't think it a good idea for Lord Voldemort
to materialize in the staffroom. I imagined people
would panic.'
> 
" 'I didn't think of Voldemort,' said Harry honestly.
'I - I remembered those dementors.'
> 
" 'I see,' said Lupin thoughtfully. 'Well, well . . .
 ' I'm impressed.' He smiled slightly at the look of
surprise on Harry's face. 'That suggests that what you
fear most of all is - fear. Very wise, Harry.'
> 
><snip> The only reason this
> remark has stood out to me is because, every time I
> reread PoA, I wonder, "How does Lupin conclude that
> dementors are the embodiment of fear?" I would argue
> them to be depression, or maybe whatever your concept
> of hell, but fear? I've never been able to make the
> leap with him in his reasoning.
><big snip>

Carol:
I know that JKR has said that the Dementors are an embodiment of
depression and we read everywhere that they suck all the happiness out
of you, but Harry's reaction on his first encounter is sheer terror.
He doesn't just turn pale and shake with fear like Ginny, he passes
out. Lupin witnessed this display of terror and has some understanding
of what Harry felt, both the terror and the shame he felt afterwards
because of it. So I think he means that Harry is afraid of being
terrified--fear of fear. Or at least, that's what I make of Lupin's
words, though I'm not sure about the "very wise" Part. Maybe he's just
comforting Harrym making his fear of a similar incident appear to be
common sense.

Carol