JKR characterizations--oversimplification? SIRIUS Defined

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 115295


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jen Reese" <stevejjen at e...> wrote:

> 
> Jen: 
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> But NOW, in retrospect, and with the addition of JKR's 
> summation....well all I can say is her summary wasn't the *main* 
> thing I read into the character. I didn't see that the *main* 
> motivation on Sirius' part was to merely be a spouter of philosophy 
> with no follow-through. Now that JKR is sharing her beliefs about 
> Sirius as a character, I have no choice but to accept it. It taints 
> the character for me though, and makes me wonder what else I'm 
> reading differently from how she intends it; what other characters 
> have different motivations from those I've assigned so far? 
> 
> ...edited...
>
> Jen

bboyminn:

Let's keep in mind that JKR has complete life histories/backstories
for most of her characters. She probably know the intimate details of
Sirius's life from the day he was born. The Sirius we know and have
seen is only a faction of who he is or what he could be. These
characters, like real people, are multi-faceted and multi-leveled.
While I accept what JKR said about Sirius, and can see those aspects
myself, they are none the less just that -- /aspects/. 

Sirius, given the circumstance was extremely limited in his ability to
function. Being a convicted murderer and escaped prisoner, severly
restricted his movements. An certainly, the tragic events of James and
Lily's death, Peter's betrayal and escape, and all those miserable
years in Azkaban have damaged him. Those are all defining aspects of
who he has become.

But I see much more. Given the chance to socialize with the world
normally, and chance to care about and care for Harry on regular
basis, the clearing of his name, the final demise of Voldemort,
etc...; in other word, given a chance to heal, all these, if he had
lived, I feel would have lead to a Sirius who was more than capable of
being an effective friend, guardian, and life-guide for Harry. Sirius
would have always been damaged by his experiences, but I think he had
the underlying character to eventually rise above it.

Let's not forget that Harry is damaged goods too. Given what Harry
will have experienced by the end of the Series, there are few people
in Harry's world who could understand that level of damage and trama.
So, had Sirius lived, I think he and Harry would have been a good
match. They had both experienced a horror of a life that no one else
could comprehend.

I think it is a mistake to take JKR's statements as the sum total
all-encompassing definition of Sirius. She is, in a very short context
driven response, simply pointing out an apsect of Sirius that should
be evident to us all. But, I personally refuse to take that as the sum
total of what and who Sirius was, and what he could have become.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Steve/bboyminn (was bboy_mn)