Prefects and points

[Arya]

No: HPFGUIDX 106006

Del wrote:
I don't even know why she got on Ron, he wasn't even mentioned in the
question. It *really* looks like she was out there to give Ron in
particular a bad rap.
----------
But then doesn't this tell you something???  This, to me, seems like a
very good clue to "authorial intent".  
------------------

 
> Del wrote:
> Do you know why I would HATE (and I mean HATE !!!!) for Ron to be
> "just comic relief" ? Because Ron is the only one of the Trio who is
> normal. Hermione is a gross exxageration of the smart kid, and Harry
> is the typical hero who always gets things right. 
---------
So why, though, is so difficult to conceive of the notion that Ron is
an exxaggeration of the "average" to the point where his
juxtapositioning beside Harry and Hermione results in comic relief???
--------------

Del wrote:
But Ron is like most of us : not overly intelligent, not overly
studious, not overly lucky, and not the hero of the game. *But* he has
ambition, he *wants* to become someone, to prove himself, just like
most of us. So if he turned out to be there just for fun, the message
I would get out of it all would be : "Sorry, if you're not born
special, you will never become so. You'll always be just a joke.
You'll never be the hero of anything. It's not even worth trying,
because it won't happen." And I just happen to HATE that sort of
message. It would right away turn me off HP (both the books and the
character).
---------------
But, but, but....if Ron doesn't remain just "normal" and he has to
change and become more than "comic relief" then doesn't that say that
the normal guy is nothing?  There's an awful lot to be said for the
average guy and it does take a certain type of courage to be content
with being just who you are (as opposed to trying to be more and
appear more in the eyes of others).  Even HArry says at the end of
GoF, "wer're going to need some laughs".  It's not easy to just be
average and be happy and happy enough to joke around and to in the
shadow of Harry (and even Hermione).  So I think Ron's got his cross
to bear (this shadow) and he doesn't NEED to rise up and shine in a
bright and glorious way so that the last book has to be called "Harry,
Ron and Hermione: The Most Equal of Friends".  All Ron's need to do is
endure to be there at Harry's side and *that* will make him a hero in
his own right.  

We all have paths, we all have some purpose--not everyone is meant to
walk in front and lead--someone has to walk behind and follow.  There
*is* heroism in accepting the simple path before you and not forsaking
it for the pursuit of one's own glory.  Harry *needs* his friends and
I can see Ron having a test of his character in having to decided to
remain at Harry's side and in his shadow versus pursuing the fame that
  Harry has which he envies so.  

Arya