Sirius revisited--emotional maturity

[Theresa]

No: HPFGUIDX 104763

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, AnitaKH <anita_hillin at y...> 
wrote:
[Whole lotta snipping going on]
> 
>  
> 
> akh: As I've doubtless stated before, one of the best features of 
JKR's writing for me is the emotional/psychological truth of the 
characters.  In the case of Sirius, I've seen a million of 'em.  
Well, perhaps not quite that many, but as a former actress, his type 
is rife in the business.  Sirius always stuck me as the good-looking, 
charistmatic type who had a difficult time as a child and who is 
devoted to friends and those he loves.  However, he is also devoted 
to Self, so the feelings of others are not always apparent or, 
frankly, important to him.  A very dear friend of mine (unfortunately 
deceased) WAS Sirius, in many ways.  His parents, while not cruel, 
had a troubled relationship that he took personally.  He could be the 
best friend you ever had, followed closely by an astoundingly cruel 
remark.  My excuse for him was, "He doesn't mean to be a bastard..." 
and it was very apt.
> 
> The point of this ramble is to say that Sirius is undoubtedly well-
intentioned (much of GOF), sincerely attached to his loved ones 
(Shrieking Shack scene in POA and Christmas in OOTP)and has an easy 
time endearing himself to those whom he takes the trouble to charm.  
However, while not necessarily egotistical, he is self-absorbed, a 
trait which is frequently accompanied by a total lack of self-
awareness.  Since I have a passel of friends who fit this 
description, I like Sirius a lot!
> 
> akh, who hopes her actor friends aren't on this list - then again, 
they'd never recognize themselves, would they?  
> 

Theresa:
Wow, Anita! I think you perfectly described him. Loveable but 
sometime one who doesn't think before acting and comes off acting 
like a bastard. I loved Remus, and Sirius from the first reading of 
POA (before any movies came out). I actually read the first three 
books in a few days time and remembered Sirius as the motorbike 
wizard from PS/SS. Anyway, I have always felt Sirius and James (and 
MCGonnagal even says they were in POA) the ringleaders of their 
group. They were clever and good-looking boys who liked attention and 
were allowed to get away with a few broken rules. I believe Sirius 
was so constrained at home by mommy dearest that he felt the need to 
let loose at school (this was an OotP revelation to me). James, I 
think came from money and was just spoiled and used to being the 
center of attention. However, I feel both were basically good guys - 
just tended to take things a bit too far. I too have had friends that 
can take a joke too far. I have always been like Hermione - very 
studious almost to an extreme and they constantly harassed me about 
reading too much and at times have made me near tears for saying 
things like 'she won't believe you because she didn't read it 
somewhere' or something much worse like `ask her she knows 
everything'. Now I know most of the time they didn't mean it and 
usually I gave them the look Emma Watson in PS/SS does, when Ron 
comments about her light reading material but they were and are good 
people who just love to tease and joke. Granted I also feel someone 
with thinner skin than I might not have taken it as easily as I did.
Anyway, I have always believed that something ticked off Sirius and 
James and they jokingly told Snape about the tree thinking he was not 
brave like they and would never go and do it. Then as he approached 
the tree, James thought, "Crap! I better stop him". Who knows maybe 
by then Lily even knew about Remus' condition and chastised them and 
so James ever so trying to impress fair maiden listened to her and 
saved Snape. 'The Prank' is one of the mysteries I hope comes to 
light in book 6 or 7, if not I suppose unless JK reveals it, we shall 
never know. 
As for the pensieve scene...I do not feel that like the children 
mentioned by moms on this list (btw I am a mom of two boys myself), 
Snape was not the poor mistreated fellow student. I think he was an 
ambitious crafty and clever boy (knew more curses than most 7th years 
when he came to school) but he was not necessarily a nice sweet 
innocent person who was 'picked on'. I think it was apparent in the 
pensieve scene that he 'dished it out' too. He attacked James while 
his back was turned. Granted James started it and then Sirius jumped 
in to help James when he was attacked from behind but I think Snape 
probably was a bit like Draco while in school - not the rich kid part 
but the willingness to hex a classmate. 
Now as for the part about Sirius not saying sorry to Remus, I go back 
to my friends who I still adore who have never once said `you know we 
were only teasing', it would have been nice but I just don't expect 
it and for the most part they are nice people. In my opinion, he 
should have said `sorry mate, didn't mean it like that' but I think 
adult Sirius would have to him. But just like me Remus was just used 
to him by then. It seems as though he somewhat ignores most of the 
antics with Snape and just sits and studies for his next OWL. 
I also feel that the dementors did have a definite affect on Sirius. 
It is apparent in the Shack and at Grimmauld Place. He just seems 
like someone suffering from manic depression to me – his moods swing 
to quickly. As for his treatment of Kreacher, well I think if it were 
Dobby or Winky, Sirius would not treat them the same way. Even Ron 
and the twins talk about Kreacher as if he is a horrid little house 
elf – Ron tells Harry to watch out for him. So I figure that was not 
a good example since IMHO anyone would tire of that wretched creature.

Anyway, this is longer than I intended so I will close with a rap up –
 all I am saying is yes I agree Sirius AND James were ornery good 
looking rich boys who had a knack for trouble, however, Snape was not 
an innocent lamb here. I still love all of the marauders except Peter 
(I think he always had some ulterior motive). I accept them bad 
habits and all as loveable, goodhearted (deep down) champions of what 
is good and right. And I am still intrigued by Snape who I believe is 
a good guy but a sour puss. Maybe he had a `Dudley' at home growing 
up. 

And one final point – I have always felt Harry gets his good-natured 
attitude – saying thank you and I am sorry from his mother. Lily was 
supposedly the kind, goodhearted clever witch. I think it is her 
traits that allowed him to survive the Dursleys.

Theresa
who also never really thought about James' personality until OotP