Defending Percy ( was Percy Weasley )

[Bill and Diana Sowers]

No: HPFGUIDX 105087

Del wrote:

> Molly is the only one whom we know has tried to talk to Percy, and 
we
> don't even have the details of that episode. Molly is not the
> diplomatic kind, I can see her screwing that up very easily.

Of all the Weasley children I think Percy is most like his mother... 
at times blindly faithful, at others ranting about "correct 
behavior."  There is an internal logic working in Percy that reflects 
his family background and his age.  As others have pointed out he has 
removed himself from his family and surrounded himself with people 
opposed to what his family believes to be the truth.  But he still 
has that fierce loyalty learned at home... transferred to a 
new "family."

Going back to my younger years this reminds me of the War in Vietnam 
and its effects on the American people.  We were getting mixed 
messages from various sources and it was hard to believe the "truth"  
(Which more often than not is as easily attanied as the snitch in 
quidditch).  Who was one to believe?  Percy has sided with 
the "administration."  In doing so he has advanced through the ranks 
quickly which has bolstered his beliefs.  To him he must be on the 
right track.

As was also pointed out Percy is now a young man (18/19).  Like most 
of us at this age he is coming into his own and questioning his 
parents' beliefs.  To a degree so are his younger brothers, Fred and 
George.  They've dropped out of school and started a business.  The 
same could be said, to a lesser degree, of Bill Weasley with his long 
hair and fang earring... something which irritates his mother.  Most 
people separate themselves from their parents in some way about this 
age (or earlier/later).

Rowling has given us a look at family dynamics in the Weasley's that 
plays out more or less all around the world.

I wonder where Percy sits now... at the end of Book 5...  What must 
be going through his mind?.... probably one mixed up guy.


> And there's one person whom we see making pointedly no effort to 
bring
> Percy back to the fold : Arthur. It's Arthur who insulted Percy, yet
> he doesn't seem to be willing to make any reconciliation effort. If
> Arthur, the adult, is allowed to act so childish, then why should
> Percy know any better ?

It is not an easy thing to let go of your children... allow them to 
grow up.    My wife and I have done it two times and are currently 
going through it a third time (18 year old).  Sometimes our children 
take turns in life that are diametrically opposed to the things we 
have taught them.  It's an easy thing to speak of 
reconciliation/"mature behavior" but much more difficult to act upon 
it.  Usually, in the best of situations, a few years of struggling 
through feelings (Yelling, not speaking to each other, etc), 
compromising, accepting the fact that we must love each other no 
matter what our differing beliefs, must take place.  Arthur and 
Percy, in Book 5, have just started out on this difficult road.  It's 
a shame that in some instances the coming together again never 
happens.  I wonder where Rowling will take this?

I understand Arthur's anger.  I can understand young Percy's rigid 
support of what he believes to be true.  And Molly, the mother torn 
between her love for both is an eternal theme.  I am forever amazed 
at how well Rowling presents these different age/familial 
characteristics.

Bill