Ron is like Percy (plus more Weasley thoughts)

[sophierom]

No: HPFGUIDX 89112

Debbie wrote sometime back in post 38730 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/38730):

<In spite of Ron's attempt to be the anti-Percy, in fact I think 
they are very much alike, two bookends driven apart by the noisy, 
attention-getting twins. There are little details suggesting how 
they're alike, starting with their tall and lanky builds (shared 
with Bill, but not with their shorter, stockier, Quidditch-playing 
brothers). Both have a tendency to embarrass easily. Both 
demonstrate very strong loyalties. Both are somewhat insecure
about their position in the family and have a consequent need for
recognition. But because of that wedge that's been driven between 
them, they have opposite reactions to Molly's ambitions, and are in 
opposition to each other.>

bboy_mn agrees with this analysis, going on to say in post 88447 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/88447):
<I believe that Percy's main problem is that he is
trapped in a downward spiral of 'approval seeking', and believe it or
not, much of the approval he seeks needs to some from Ron and the
Twins, which only proves just how sadly disfunctional the role is 
that Percy has buried himself in. Ron on the other hand, still has a 
chance to break the disfunctional cycle before he becomes as deeply 
entrenched as Percy. Once the Twins are gone from Hogwarts, Ron 
becomes much more comfortable with himself, and that's when he 
begins to show his true potential. Without having to fear the Twin 
approval/disapproval, Ron is free to attempt things without the 
impending fear of rejection>

Sophierom:

While I love these ideas, particularly Debbie's characterization of 
Ron and Percy as "bookends driven apart by the noisy, attention-
getting twins," I think we should not overemphasize the similarities 
between the two brothers.  As JKR has made abundantly clear 
throughout the series, it is individual choice that really makes the 
person.  bboy_mn's insight that Percy is trapped in a dysfunctional 
cylce is a very astute and sensative analysis, but ultimately, I 
believe that JKR would argue that it was Percy's choice as an 
individual, not some inevitable reaction to family dynamics, that 
led him to become a pompous twit.  I also believe that Percy has 
the choice to return to his family and provide a real service for 
the Order (and I think he may very well do this in the end.) 

But so far, what makes the similarities between Ron and Percy so 
important -and I believe the case for their similarities was very 
strongly presented - what makes these similarities so important is 
how the brothers use these similarities to create such different 
personalities. The idea that both of these Weasleys have taken their 
analogous character traits and behaved so differently makes a 
fantastic parallel to Harry and Tom Riddle.  

Best,
Sophierom