Harry : compassion vs saving-people thing

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 114879


Annemehr wrote :
" I did think of one example of Harry's compassion, with no question
of life or death involved: when Harry met Neville on the Closed Ward."

Del replies :
Uh, yes, sure, but honestly, you'd have to be Draco not to feel
compassion during this scene. Ron, Hermione and Ginny all felt
compassion for Neville at that time too. It doesn't demonstrate
exceptional compassion. (I actually cried...)

Annemehr wrote :
"At the Burrow in GoF, he was startled to find out what Splinching
was, and immediatedly asked whether the people were okay."

Del replies :
Again, quite a normal reaction, don't you think ?

Annemehr wrote :
"Later, after seeing Dumbledore's pensieve, he spent a sleepless night
thinking about what had happened to the Longbottoms and Barty Crouch Jr."

Del replies :
This one is an interesting one, because if I remember well, his
thoughts drift quite quickly from the Longbottoms and Crouch Jr to
LV's responsibility in that matter, and then he feels *hate* towards
him. To me, this is his natural instincts taking over again : he can't
do anything about the victims, so he will instead concentrate on
avenging them. Heroism kicking back in.

Annemehr wrote :
" I can believe, compassion *and* a saving-people thing, but I can't
believe Harry has no compassion."

Del replies :
Wow, wow !! I never meant to say that Harry has no compassion at all !
I was just arguing against the opinions that a) he's got an
exceptional amount of compassion, and b) that's what makes him save
people's lives.

Del