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

[Nora Renka]

No: HPFGUIDX 116050


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" 
<dumbledore11214 at y...> wrote:
> 
> > Pippin:
> 
> snip.
> 
> > 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.
> 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> I don't understand. Why such Lupin would be a negative stereotype? 
> A victim of prejudice, chronically ill person, who managed to keep 
> his humanity despite beign a flawed human being.
> Who, contrary to Snape managed to resist the temptation to join 
> Evil, even if such evil promised hima better destiny. Really, I 
> don't know why you consider such character to be a negative one.
> 
> And of course he was thinkinhg about Neville's wellfare. Well, 
> mainly, anyway. :o)

Hmm, I think I like my Momus gear.  White tie, tails, top hat--what 
is there not to like?  I can play announcer with it on, too...

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a thematic disagreement.

In the left corner, we have Pippin's venerable (and oft-defended and 
explicated) ESE!Lupin theory.  Here, Lupin should be read as a weak 
creature, representing the failure of will.  He's resented and 
ostracized by the wizarding world--and he gets his revenge, falling 
deeper and deeper into cycles of evil.  That niceness?  Really just a 
front--'Uncle Remus', if you will.  He's a skilled manipulator and 
overweeningly self-interested, and has the crime of murder and 
betrayal on his hands.

In the right corner, we have a more...orthodox reading of Lupin.  
This Lupin is the victim of disease and the monthly stripping of his 
humanity, but is redeemed by his genuine gratitude to those who have 
helped him, and fights for the white hats.  He embodies being able to 
stay a genuinely decent person despite all the crap that life has 
dealt him.  He's not terribly expressive, but that's because he's 
used to having to deal with things alone.

Coming up, hopefully in...maybe, 8 months or so, IF we're lucky--a 
battle to the death for which one is actually real!  Place your bets 
now, 'cause one of these Lupins is going to end up on the GARBAGESCOW!

-Nora is, herself, not a betting woman--with one exception (you know 
who you are)