New thoughts on Sirius (& Lupin)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 114844


Jen: 
> JKR *did* make an interesting point that Sirius could not see 
> the good points in Snape; it makes me wonder what exactly Sirius 
> was privvy to at Hogwarts that fueled his one-sided view of Snape. 
> What we saw in the Pensieve scene made Snape look like the hapless 
> victim of the Marauder's bullying--was there anything he did 
> besides 'just exist'? Was he always the one on the defensive?


SSSusan:
Jen has been a little bummed about the information that JKR provided 
about Sirius.  I, being a moderately big fan of Sirius, was actually 
quite pleased with what we found out there.  Remember the endless 
debates about whether the Azkaban experience could be used as 
an "excuse"/rationale for why Sirius was reckless and rash and 
somewhat immature?  Seems JKR is telling us it IS a part of it.  I 
like having that confirmed as part of her view of Sirius.

There has also been debate about whether Sirius really despised 
Kreacher.  Clearly, he did.  And JKR calls him on this double 
standard with that.  She also calls him on telling Harry no one is 
totally good or evil, yet being unwilling or unable to consider the 
possibility of anything good within Snape.  

I like having some of these things answered or fleshed out.  And I 
feel that I can still easily remain a fan of Sirius'.  Why?  Because 
no one is wholly good or evil!  [Oh, well, except maybe Lordy 
Voldythingy?]  Sirius is an excellent example of this, and, while it 
maybe doesn't make him more loveable, it does make him 
more "complete" and more real in my mind.  He's a mixture 
of "negatives" -- recklessness, blind to his own faults, arrogant, 
bitter -- and "positives" -- affectionate with a chosen few, loyal, 
brave.  Another complex character--what's not to like about that? :-)

  
Alla:
> > Yes, after today I am finally saying good buy to ESE!Lupin in my 
> > mind.
> > 
> > Remus is one of her favourite characters, she would LOVE to meet 
> > him, she thinks that he is more MATURE that Sirius, whom she 
> > likes even though she does not like some of his traits.
 
Jen: 
> JKR is really giving Lupin a lot of good press recently, both 
> in the Edinburgh appearance and today. It makes me more suspicious 
> though, instead of less--is this another cat and mouse game? Just 
> as she characterized Sirius today in very gray terms, she could 
> come back and talk about how Lupin's maturity, good teaching 
> skills, and easy-going demeanor made him the perfect villain 
> and 'so fun' to write. I hope not, of course.


SSSusan:
I keep waiting for Pippin to comment on JKR's use of the words "seems 
much older and more mature" [emphasis on "seems"].  I adore Lupin; 
he's one of my 3 or 4 absolute favorite characters, so I don't *want* 
to be suspicious of him, but I couldn't help but point out that she 
didn't say he IS more mature; only that he "seems" so. :-)

Siriusly Snapey Susan