Modern Sensibilities vs. Potterverse: The 4th Unforgivable

[KarenDetroit]

No: HPFGUIDX 116782


Greetings from Michigan! I have been enjoying several of the 
interesting discussions here, and this is my first impulse to 
contribute.

I have noticed frequent criticisms of JKRowling's characters and 
their actions vis-a-vis the students in their care, with frequent 
criticisms decrying sadism, shocking lack of concern for the 
students' safety, etc., and this of course implies criticism of the 
author, too.

Leaving aside for the moment that this is a work of fiction, and the 
author is from another culture (Great Britain), I must protest the 
provincialism of holding other cultures to whatever pychobabble is 
currently passing for mores in the US. "Modern" US parenting 
practices are anything but time-tested, don't constitute "best 
practices" as any business or science understands the term, and 
should be taken with a grain of salt in normal (US) circumstances; in 
a foreign culture, living in a state of undeclared war, such 
practices and standards would be comic, to say the least, and most 
are likely guaranteed to inflict severe damage on the people involved 
if applied. Consider Hermione's S.P.E.W. campaign as a lesson in not 
assuming too much.

Some have mentioned the fact that Harry Potter's point of view is 
limited, and often uninformed due to the facts that (1) he is an 
immigrant to the Wizarding World, (2) he is immature and 
inexperienced in general , and (3) he is  a rather unobservant child. 
All are valid points that acknowledge that Harry is often ill-
informed and not terribly good at reporting fully or understanding 
fully what is going on around him. This is perfectly natural, and 
shows the author's familiarity of dealing with the young, as well as 
providing lots of plot and character development. There is the added 
possibility that he has been misinformed by deceitful or ignorant 
informants. Harry's emotions are not good sources of factual 
information about anything except Harry's state of mind.

No doubt the author will attempt to fill in the multiplicity of 
information gaps to satisfy our curiosity by the end of the story, 
and it is fun to analyze what clues she leaves us. May I plead that 
the rush for judgment be suspended? Make it the 4th Unforgivable!

"kdmpf"