About Dumbledore

[Brian]

No: HPFGUIDX 104948

If we assigned a fascination index, it seems fairly obvious that 
Dumbledore wouldn't be far from Harry himself.  

Firstly, Dumbledore, as written by Jo, demonstrates fascinatingly 
superhuman abilities, even for the WW.  The wisdom and power he has 
demonstrated thus far, mistakes notwithstanding, are reminiscent of 
characters from other fictional worlds, such as Yoda from _Star Wars_ 
and Gandalf from _The Lord of the Rings_.  In fact, Dumbledore, in 
the context of the Potterverse seems to have a bit more 
exceptionality than his spiritual predecessors from the 
aforementioned works.  This exceptionality has inspired Ron=DD, Time 
Travel!DD, and ESE!DD theories.  For one, how can he know so much?  
How can he be so powerful that even Voldemort fears him.  In GoF, 
Harry is surprised by the awesomeness of his power when he knocks 
down the door while stunning Crouch!Moody.  Harry is surprised by the 
display of power (fury) "etched in every line of [DD's] ancient face" 
because the man had seemed so benign and whimsical.  Of course, the 
seemingly harmless person who demonstrates awe-inspiring power is one 
of our favorite images in Western mythology.  What _Star Wars_ fans 
didn't experience a chill when Yoda said, "Judge me by my size, do 
you?  And well you should not..."?  Later, he "wingardium leviosas" 
Luke's ship right on out of the swamp, to Luke's disbelief.

I don't have a problem with Jo invoking this kind of 
characterization, however well-worn it may be.  I think she uses it 
again with Professor Flitwick.  How else can you explain a dwarf-like 
wizard with a squeaky voice who smacks his lips at the prospect of 
syruppy nonalcoholic beverages despite being the "dueling champion" 
(POA)?

Secondly, Jo has invoked another well-worn character trajectory--the 
seemingly wise-beyond-belief leader whose failings match only his 
successes in their degree.  Dumbledore has failed enormously, and he 
will continue to do so.  He will not be shown as ESE!, though, in my 
view.  Like any cultural leader, he will make mistakes that would 
keep most of us up late at night with spasms of guilt that rival the 
fits of pain brought on by the cruciatus curse.  

Thirdly, it's tempting to think that DD is someone we know, such as 
Ron.  I don't think JKR will resort to this.  His advice during the 
time-turner scene in POA hints that he has done some time travel 
himself, but I think that will come out to be just one of many tools 
he has used to achieve the ends he believes worthwhile.  Our world 
contains people whose abilities are so divergent from those of the 
general populace that they seem to be members of another species.  
Why couldn't DD just be a wizard with extraordinary abilities.  Sure, 
we will find out that he employed some clever--and perhaps ethically 
questionable--means to keep track of Harry, but there are some pretty 
clever and failsafe means to keep track of we muggles, let me tell 
you!

My prediction, for what it's worth, is that the Ever So Fascinating 
Dumbledore, in all his glory--and in all his ignominy--will come out 
looking as good as a leader like him can.

"Brian B."