[HPforGrownups] Re: JKR characterizations--oversimplification?

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 115278


--- snow15145 <snow15145 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Snow:
> If Sirius hadn't approved so profoundly of starting a group to 
> teach and learn defense against the 
> dark arts the children would have all died at the Ministry. All of 
> Harry's friends or stalkers (Luna) would have still gone with Harry
> that night but much less knowledgeable if it hadn't been for
> Sirius's enthusiasm over the need for all of them to be aware of 
> what they may be facing outside of Hogwarts. In a way Sirius was 
> the reason the 
> children were able to learn to defend themselves. Sirius had 
> convinced Harry that sometimes when faced with a choice of taking
> the 
> easy rode of obeying the rules so as not to get into trouble at 
> school you have placed yourself and others in more danger by not 
> taking a risk in which you might save many. 


It was Hermione who set up the DA and established the reasons for it.
 Sirius agreed with the importance of the idea but it's interesting
to note his first reaction when talking to the kids: "D'you think
your father and I would've lain down and taken orders from an old hag
like Umbridge?"  He's proud that Harry's a chip off the old block and
showing that Marauder spirit to rag a nasty and bad teacher.  Then he
throws himself into the planning - as Hermoine says, he's living
through their activities.


 
> As for other qualities that Sirius has shown, the one that came to 
> mind after reading your post was when Mr. Weasley was bitten and
> the twins were adamant over going to their fathers side, Fred had
> spouted 
> to Sirius that it was easy for him to say that there were things 
> worth dying for because he didn't see Sirius risking his neck.
> Sirius 
> was obviously hurt by this comment from Fred but had a very mature 
> and consoling attitude towards him all the same. 

"The little colour remaining in Sirius' face drained from it.  He
looked for a moment as though he would quite like to hit Fred, but
when he spoke, it was in a voice of determined calm."

You're right, he didn't go through with hitting Fred so I suppose
that might count as mature and consoling.  On the other hand, Fred
might just have been out of reach; Harry's not clear on that point.

This and your other examples don't show "great strength of
character"; it shows the normal adult reaction to an emotional kid's
outburst when the kid is scared and upset about a family medical
emergency and when quarrelling with other adults.  You're setting the
bar awfully low if we're expected to give Sirius credit for simply
not blowing up at Fred at that time.  


> Why would anyone criticize Sirius, who knows about
> as much as we the readers, for being cautious concerning Snape who 
> was once a death eater?   

Because Snape saved Harry's life in PS/SS?  Had I been Sirius and I'd
found out that the guy I despised with all my heart had actually been
responsible for saving the life of my best friend's son, I'd be a
heck of a lot more circumspect in how I'd treat that guy and how I'd
talk about him in front of said kid.  Not to mention I'd thank the
guy profusely for being there when I was in prison and couldn't help
my godson at all.

Magda 


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