Ron as Prefect (was: Chapter Discussion...)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 88520

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at y...>
wrote:
> Abigail asked:
> 10. We already know why Harry wasn't selected for Prefect, but 
> do you feel that Ron was a good choice?  ...
> >


> Marina: 
> > I actually think that Neville would've been a better choice. 
> 

bboy_mn:

Brief comment on Neville as Prefect, different people react to stress
in different way, since Neville has not gained his confidents yet, I
think he would have been overwhelmed by the pressure of being
appointed Prefect. Quite the oppossite of being re-enforced by the
honor, he would have been crushed by the pressure and failed miserably.

Now, at the end of book 5, given his improvement, and with the
encouragement of his friends, I think he could have done a much better
job. But it's too late now, Prefect have aleary been assigned.



> Carol responds:
> I think it's a necessary boost to Ron's self-esteem, .... It also 
> eliminates an unnecessary extra burden from Harry....

bboy_mn:

True, in the end, it was a boost to Ron's self-esteem, but I don't
think that is why it was given to him. Excluding Harry and Hermione
for the moment, Ron is the only Gryffindor boy in his class year who
has distinguished himself, who has take initiative under difficult
circumstance, who has face danger bravely, who has established a
willingness to fight for others and sacrific himself on their behalf.
Ron has been places and done things that have proven that he is
capable of functioning under stress. This distinction certainly puts
Ron far and away above the others in qualifying as a Prefect candidate.

I would put a gang of first years in Ron's care before I would put
them in the care of Seamus or Dean. True, as long as nothing goes
wrong, Seamus and Dean would do an adequate job, but in a crisis, in a
dangerous situation, I would trust them to Ron's care above all
others. (again, excluding Harry and Hermione for the moment)


> Carol continues:
>
>Granted, Ron wasn't a great success as a prefect, ...

bboy_mn:

Why wasn't Ron a great success as a Prefect? 

Please don't forget that there are SIX Prefects in the House and of
those, Ron is the junior Prefect. Where were the other four (excluding
Hermione) Prefects when all these prefect duties that Ron allegedly
failed at needed to be done? They certainly didn't seem concerned,
they certainly didn't see a need to intervene.

Ron patrolled the halls like all the other Prefects. He monitored the
study rooms when the students stayed in on rainy days. He basically
preform all the duties that all the other Prefects perform and seemed
to do them as well as any. Where is the evidence that he was less than
adequate? Just because he wasn't as fussy as Hermione and Percy; I
think not.

Ron was an average typical Prefect; he did just as good a job as
Seamus or Dean would have done. The difference is, in times of
trouble, I would much prefer to have Ron there than Dean or Seamus. In
times of no trouble, they are about all equal.

I think it is very unfair and unrealistic for people to compare Ron's
quality of work as Prefect to Hermione or Percy. Hermione and Percy
seem to be the exception to the rule. The other Prefects, who see no
need to get involved, should be used to set the standard for a typical
Prefect, and against the typical standard, Ron did a typical and
standard job of it.


> Carol continues:
>
> (I doubt very much that Ron will ever become Head Boy, ...
> 
> Hope this makes sense as I'm on my way out the door and don't have
> time to read it over.
> 
> Carol

bboy_mn:

Sadly, I can't disagree with you about Ron becoming Head Boy. I really
really REALLY want him to, but I think when the time comes, Harry will
be Head Boy. But, for what it's worth, I think Ron will be Quidditch
Captain, and he already has an award for Special Services to the
School, so he is making a name for himself. 

As a side note, I'm pretty sure Head Boy and Head Girl are a
school-wide honor, not a house honor; that is, 6 prefects per house,
but only one Head Boy and Head Girl for the entire school. So it's
possible that NO Gryffindor boy will become Head Boy. I find it hard
to believe that anyone other than Hermione could be Head Girl.

You have to admit that no student has proven themselves to such a
degree and in so many ways as Harry. I think that puts Harry at the
head of the line for Head Boy.

Just a few thoughts from a staunch Ron defender.

bboy_mn