Prefects and points

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 106036


I, 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).

Arya answered :
> 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).

Del replies :
But I'm NOT saying that Ron wants to appear more than he is. I'm
saying that Ron IS more than he appears.

At the end of PS/SS, DD tells something to Harry that has been used in
this group over and over again : It's not our abilities that determine
who we are, but our choices (or something like that). 

Ron made *amazing* choices for someone normal. He repeatedly chose to
face mortal danger. He repeatedly chose to go right along Harry in
dangerous endeavours. He constantly supported Harry through whatever
Harry had to go through (except in one single time and he repented
from it). He shares everything he has with Harry (most notably his
family) without ever asking anything in return. In fact, when asked to
give Ron's most defining quality, people will most often say that he's
an amazing friend. But that's because he's put Harry's interests
before his own over and over again.

So Ron makes all these amazing choices, but in the end he will still
be someone average, someone normal ? While of course, in the meantime,
Harry will have gone from hero to super-hero, because of his own
choices ? Sorry, I call that unfair.

If DD (JKR) meant to say that it's not his abilities that will define
*Harry* but his choices, then he (she) should not have made such a
general statement. If on the other hand, she truly meant it, then Ron
should end up amazing, because he's made amazing choices. In fact, I
believe he's *already* amazing, because those choices have already
affected him for the better, but somehow JKR isn't showing us that.
She keeps insisting on how common he is, on how laughable he is, on
all his failings, she makes him look like a stupid dork who has never
done anything exceptional in his life. But he's simply not that.

Arya wrote :
> 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).

Del replies :
No, it's not easy, especially when you took a very active and equal
part in what made Harry and Hermione shine !

Arya wrote :
>  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.  

Del replies :
Oh, because Harry, Ron and Hermione are *not* equal ?? I guess I'm
right then : JKR lied to us through DD, and it's *not* our choices who
define who we are, it's what we were born. Wonderful. Not.

Arya wrote :
> 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.

Del replies :
I know we keep talking about how Ron and Hermione follow Harry, but
it's a wrong choice of word : Harry, Ron and Hermione work as
partners, they work side-by-side, it's not Harry in the front and Ron
and Hermione in the back. Just because Harry always end up fighting LV
alone in the end because of convenient obstacles that block his
friends on the way, doesn't mean they ever *intend* things to be that
way. If they could, Ron and Hermione would always be right next to
Harry any time he faces danger. Ron would gladly take an equal share
of the burden and the danger if he could. His *choices* are just as
brave as Harry's, and his personality is just as noble as Harry's. He
*is* Harry's equal in character. But JKR just doesn't show that.

Arya wrote :
> There *is* heroism in accepting the simple path before you and not 
> forsaking it for the pursuit of one's own glory.

Del replies :
Yo, one *simple* path indeed it is, to brave danger and death right
alongside Harry !!
And I wasn't talking about Ron pursuing his own glory. I was talking
about his true personality finally shining through : brave, noble,
tenacious, generous. Everyone keeps talking about how Harry is all of
that and more, but I say that Ron is no less either.

Arya wrote :
> 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.  

Del replies :
First, as I said, I wasn't talking about Ron going after his own
glory. just about his brightness inside finally showing through.
And second : Harry doesn't own Ron. If Ron did indeed decide to leave
Harry to pursue his own dreams, it would be his most basic right. It
would in no way be a test of his character, because there would be no
failing option. It would be no treason or abandonment of Harry.
Whether Ron would choose to stay with Harry or to leave him would be
equally good and right. If Ron decided to stay with Harry, it would be
a sign of true charity : putting another's needs before his own. And
Ron has already shown signs that he does indeed possess quite large
amounts of that most remarkable quality.

Ron *is* great, because he, the ordinary boy, made extraordinary
decisions. Why does JKR hide that fact ?

Del