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

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 116045


Renee:
>Even so,  even a Lupin who is 'courted' by the Death Eaters - 
and perhaps for  that reason loses the trust of Sirius & James - 
but overcomes the temptation to join them, makes for a better 
message than one who  succumbs. <

Pippin:
Oh, I expect ESE!Lupin will be offered a chance at redemption, 
but I wouldn't bet on him taking it. As for the message,  Lupin 
resembles an Uncle Tom/Uncle Remus character, created with  
good intentions to counter a threatening  stereotype. But Uncle 
Tom/Uncle Remus is now considered to be itself a negative 
stereotype, because in the  zeal to make him unthreatening, he 
is also made childlike, powerless and so lacking in resentment 
as to appear incapable rather than forbearing of anger. 

The un-canonical Lupin so dear to fandom's heart,  who felt 
Sirius was innocent all along but couldn't do anything about it, 
who didn't  lead his friends to become animagi, who couldn't 
keep in mind that he hadn't taken his potion even after  he was 
reminded, who was thinking purely of Neville's welfare  when he 
allowed the boggart to take appear as GrannySnape,   would, 
IMO, be such a negative stereotype...if he existed. I submit he 
doesn't.

Renee:
> Not to mention the fact that it makes Sirius' choice of Peter for a 
Secret Keeper more tragically ironic if he both distrusted the 
good guy and trusted the bad one. Perhaps it's also my sense of 
tragic  irony that rebels against ESE!Lupin. <

Pippin:
Sirius rejects Peter's plea for mercy and forgives Lupin, who 
murders him. How ironic is that?

Pippin