bullies? twins, padfoot and prongs

[Clare Durina]

No: HPFGUIDX 118406



I sent this message to another group i belong to.  Just wanted to see 
what you make of it here.
Back in may, a friend printed for me some postings and articles from
the group. I've been trying to find them in the archive, but I
can't, so i'm posting this. I have been feeling indignant at the
popular characterization of James and Sirius as bullies and the twins
as well. Being "cool" does not make one bad, and being enviably
attractive or talented does not make one vindicive. I think that
they were immature, carried-away boys. And while Sirius does have a
mean streak, it just makes him a more complex and convincing
character. I'm glad that they are multi-dimensional realistic good-
guys instead of flat, flawless angels. Sirius's viciousness is
embarrassing to us, because we like him overall and wish he were not
so human; and it reminds us of our own flaws and past mistakes.
Anyway, a bully picks on someone because he is weak and squashing him
makes the bully feel stronger. Severus doesn't fit into
that "innocent weak" mold- he was unpopular, but James and Sirius did
not single him out for that; he was every bit as antagonistic as they
were and his own character flaws were his downfall. Envy,
spitefulness, vengeance, etc. If the tables had turned at some point
and he had had friends to back him up and James were alone, I believe
he would have been much more shamelessly ruthless with that upperhand
than JP or SB ever were. After all, even as an adult he definitely
sunk lower than Sirius with his disparaging remarks in OOP, just
baiting Sirius for a fight. He also abuses his authority as a
teacher, not only against James' son, but also with innocent,
blundering Neville. Sirius didn't target innocent unpopular kids.
The same goes for Fred and George who will justify taking on real
bullies, like Motague or Dudley, and putting them in their places,
but would only protect Neville.
Here is another related point. I cannot agree that Wormtail was a
nice guy who went astray due to low self-esteem after years of his
cool friends' torment. He was never nice, and just like being strong
and talented does not make one offensive, being weak or talentless
does not make one innocent. Why should we feel for him? Maybe too
many of us adult HP fans were unpopular as kids and are drawing an
illogical connection between Pettigrew and themselves. Otherwise, I
can't see how this idea became so accepted among fans. Look in the "
Snape's worst memory" chapter. He is detestable. First he's trying
to cheat of his neighbor's exam, then outside he (besides all the
pathetic stuff about watching James and the snitch) looked forward to
watching Snape teased with "avid anticipation" and watched "hungrily"
as Snape was laughed at, "sniggering shrilly" himself and
later "roaring with laughter". None of the marauders showed great
morals in that scene, but Wormtail sickened me the most. Lupin was
cowardly, James arrogant, Sirius vicious, but Wormtail was wicked,
psycophantic, even sociopathic. He enjoyed watching others in pain.
He wasn't strong enough to do it himself, but he was even more
pleased by Snape's humiliation than the others. JKR makes similar
remarks about him in other places too. I'm not surprised he joined
voldemort. After all, who could give more fuel for his sadistic fire
than he could? Do not make harry's mistake and envision PP like
another Neville. Neville does not deserve to be picked on by snape
or malfoy- he is unpopular and less talented, but also kind and
brave, selfless and honest. Wormtail, although superfically like 
Neville, has none of his good qualities. We always knew Neville has 
awesome potential, and it's really starting to show.

I'm new to the group. I hope I'm not just bringing up already
endlessly deliberated topics.