Right and Wrong (was - RE: [HPforGrownups] Re: Snape)

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 89748

> Kathy:
> > Joy, you stated "Would D'Dore have gone to those lengths to get
> > a spy in the deatheaters?
> > I found a passage in OoP on pg. 839 that suggests that he would
> > and has gone to many extreme lengths when it comes to Harry. DD
> > says "What did I care if numbers of nameless and faceless people
> > and creatures were slaughtered in the vague future, if in the
> > here and now you were alive...". To what extent might he have
> > gone if he put Harry's safety above all else?
> 
> Joy:
>
> Wow Kathy, thanks for sharing that.  You know I'm beginning to wonder
> if DD is really a good guy or not sometimes, lol.  Seriously though I
> didn't recall that quote, thanks for bringing it to my attention.  It
> does make one wonder what lengths DD might go to sometimes in
achieving
> his goals....
> 
Iggy here:

I think the underlying thing that often seems to be overlooked here is
that there is no pure right or wrong in these books (or even in life),
there is only a set of goals each person has, and what they are willing
to do to achieve them.

Voldemort uses dark magics, has a team of people who work for him and
are expected to have the same basic methods and ideals.  He has been
willing to manipulate, lie, and sacrifice people to achieve his goals.
He seeks a world order that conforms to his ideals and will do whatever
he feels is reasonable to make sure that order comes to pass.  He has
defied the law, he has evaded authorities, and he has gone into hiding,
leaving his followers to carry out his plans for him.  He has used
spies, deception, misdirection, double agents, and disguised individuals
to gather information, keep an eye on people, and plant information
(correct or incorrect.)  All other concerns pale before his own vision.

When you get down to it, and ultimately by his own admission, the only
true difference in Dumbledore is that he doesn't use Dark Arts (that we
know of) to achieve his goals.  All of the things that I have listed
Voldemort doing, aside from using dark magics, are things that
Dumbledore has done, as has been witnessed and/or confessed to in the
books.

So, when you get to it, there are only two distinctions in who we see as
good or evil:  Do we agree with their goals, views, and methods?  And
are they willing to use what are classically considered Dark Magics to
achieve their goals?

I'm sure if the books were written from Draco's perspective, we would be
more sympathetic to him, side with Voldemort, and think Lucius has the
right ideas.  It's because the books would be written from a different
background and a different perceived set of right and wrong.  (It's
called "PR", people... *grin*  And each side always seeks to present
itself in the best light.  After all... History is always taught by the
victors.)

It might be interesting to re-read the books and think of how the
Dursley's see things in the parts where Harry is with them, and how
Draco would see things while Harry is at school.  (Harry and Draco both
break rules, snipe at each other, try to get one another into trouble
when the opportunity presents itself, laugh at the other's expense in
unfortunate situations, have deceived to achieve their goals, and
ultimately try to undermine the other's cause and goals in life.)


Just my few centaurs worth.


Iggy McSnurd