JKR characterizations--oversimplification?

[mnaper2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 114994


>Lisa wrote:
> For example, the whole thing about how one treats one's inferiors 
as 
> it relates to Sirius' attitude toward Kreacher.  Frankly, I just 
> don't see it.  Yes, Sirius loathes Kreacher (as JKR confirms, if it 
> wasn't already obvious).  But JKR's own depiction of Kreacher as a 
> character (who is horrid, btw, even to the one person who is kind 
to 
> him) and her description of Sirius' background (and Kreacher's 
place 
> in it) suggests that Sirius loathes Kreacher for who he is and what 
> he represents of Sirius' past, not because he is an "inferior."  
> 
> Dharma replies:
> 
>Whether Sirius looked down on Kreacher or not is not the sum of the 
>inferior/superior issue.  Kreacher is enslaved by enchantments and 
> attached to number 12 to some degree.  Sirius is Kreacher superior 
> by "magical mandate" not by choice, and as such has the 
> responsibility to make sure that Kreacher is neutralized as threat 
to the Order.  

Ally:

Dharma, I think that's exactly right.  Regardless of WHY Sirius 
mistreats Kreacher or even whether Kreacher deserves it, Sirius is 
owner to Kreacher's slave.  He is in a position of power over 
Kreacher, and according to his his own philosophy, how he treats that 
person - regardless of the reason - is telling.  He was counseled by 
DD to take the high road, and instead he treated Kreacher like crap.  
Had he handled the situation with more delicacy, who knows if V ever 
would have learned that Sirius was a weakness for Harry.     

Here is what DD said about the matter, which I think echos JKR's 
quote and elaborates more on her own feelings on the matter:

'She was quite right, Harry', said Dumbledore. 'I warned Sirius when 
we adopted twelve Grimmauld Place as our Headquarters that Kreacher 
must be treated with kindness and respect. I also told him that 
Kreacher could be dangerous to us. I do not think Sirius took me very 
seriously, or that he ever saw Kreacher as a being with feelings as 
acute as a human's-'

AND:

'Kreacher is what he has been made by wizards, Harry' said 
Dumbledore. 'Yes, he is to be pitied. His existence has been as 
miserable as your friend Dobby's. He was forced to do Sirius's 
bidding, because Sirius was the last of the family to which he was 
enslaved, but he felt no true loyalty to him. And whatever Kreacher's 
faults, it must be admitted that Sirius did nothing to make 
Kreacher's lot easier-'



Ally