[HPforGrownups] Lupin as a metaphor (was: DD and the rat)

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 115992


Renee: 
Sherry, I don't know what value you attach to the judgment of 
someone who rarely posts on this list, but I'm with you here. 

As Pippin pointed out herself, JKR has stated that Lupin is a 
metaphor for the way people react to illness and disability. I'd 
like to add there's a very personal quality to this statement. JKR's 
own mother suffered from multiple sclerosis, a crippling, incurable 
disease that is often fatal - Mrs. Rowling died of it when she was 
45 years old. It can also lead to discrimination; for instance, the 
people affected by it have difficulty getting a regular job (sound 
familiar?) because they can't work 40 hours a week due to fatigue 
and other symptoms. 

In many countries, there are laws against this (though not in the 
Wizarding World), but these are only too easy to circumvent for 
employers. A great deal has to be done still for people suffering 
from MS and other chronical diseases that do not only cripple the 
sufferer but also make it difficult for them to function socially. 
Not surprislingly, JKR supports the MS Society of Scotland. 

I don't think it's a coincidence that Lupin is one of her favourite 
characters. Nor do I think he's unimportant to her; she's mentioned 
him too often in her interviews and commentaries. No wonder, if he 
represents a personal issue to her. 

As Alla said in a previous post:

I am again keeping my fingers crossed that having an "edge" does not
mean ESE!Remus, because to me it would cross out message about
tolerance and help to the victims of prejudice. It would mean that
you cannot survive in the tough conditions without turning to evil,
but it is just my opinion.

Renee again:
ESE!Lupin would also cross out the plea for a change of attitude 
towards people who, like JKR's mother, suffer from an incurable, 
crippling and socially impairing disease through no fault of their 
own. And what message would it be to say: If you're being treated 
badly because of your illness, you're bound to go bad? What we're 
actually shown, so far - that Lupin's integrity is compromised 
because of his condition (he likes too much to be liked), but that 
he remains a positive character nonetheless - is far more effective. 
To the general audicience it says: Look how discrimination can 
affect the victim. To the people affected it says: you don't have to 
conform to the prejudice; you can fight to retain your dignity. A 
two-edged sword.   

Plotwise, the ESE!Lupin theory is very ingenious. But the HP books 
can be read on more levels. Given JKR's personal involvement with 
illness and disability, the theory is complete and utter rubbish on 
the metaphorical level. To me, this means it won't happen in the 
plot either.

Sherry, I hope this helps,

Renee

Sherry

Renee

That was very beautifully written.  I hope my message didn't make me sound
like i've got a hang-up over my disability.  I get frustrated by the
attitude of most of society, but my parents taught me to be independent and
to take care of myself and to believe in my abilities.  I also was born with
a disease called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, so I can sympathize with
people like JKR'S mother with a chronic illness that causes pain and other
types of disability.  I have a fused knee and several artificial joints.
But hey, in spite of all the odds, I'm still walking and able to live
independently.  I'm very grateful to my parents and the teachers and bosses
who believed in me, and I'd never betray them.  I'm also grateful to the
friends who accepted me and who don't consider my disability, but rather
learn how I live and learn ways to understand it or make it better.  For
instance, I have dear friends who know I'm a movie addict.  So they will
rent tons of movies, when I visit, ones they've seen, and then they will
watch those with me and describe all the action.  

So, to bring this back to canon, I love the marauders for learning to become
animagi to keep Lupin company during his werewolf times.  I appreciate
Lupin's parents and Dumbledore for believing in him and doing their best to
give him an education and a chance.  I just can't imagine him betraying
that.  He has definitely been weak sometimes, but we all are.  I sure am!
But not admitting about Sirius being an animagus is far different from being
the spy who caused the murder of his best friend and his best friend's wife.
I hope very much that he will not be the bad guy in the end.

However, let me say, how much I enjoy reading Pippin's ESE Lupin posts, and
trying to figure out ways to counter them!  Lupin is one of my favorite
characters, though not the favorite, and just because I like him, I don't
want him to be ESE.  But also because of what he represents in the story of
combating prejudice I hope he turns out to be good.

Either way, it's going to be fun finding out.  Wish that next book was here!

Thanks again, Renee.  That was great!

Sherry

  







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