Conspiracies and re-assessments

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 111846

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, caesian 
<caesian at y...> wrote:

> What, based on this gestalt, is never-to-be-modified?
> 
> First of all, the author is adhering to basic rules of morality and 
 fair play.  She does not lie to us, or withhold vital clues.  It is 
 very, very unlikely - based on existing Canon - that trusted and 
 sympathetic adults in Harry's life (such as Dumbledore, Lupin or 
Lily  and James Potter) - will be revealed as evil incarnate.<

Pippin:
Evil incarnate, no. But Voldemort would not be able to 
accomplish much if only those who were as evil as he is did his 
bidding. Psychopaths are blessedly rare, but people who can be 
gulled or charmed or blackmailed into helping them are 
unfortunately far more common.

Caesian  
> The published books have a strong moral tone ("it is our 
choices...",  "what is right vs. what is easy...").  Further, the
plot has followed a  pattern that excludes major reversals for 
"good" characters: thus far,  no Major character, presented from 
the outset as sympathetic or trusted  by Harry, has been 
reversed.  <

Pippin:
What about  Pensieve!James? 


> Caesian:
> I would say, rather, that the danger of false assumptions is at 
the  heart of HP.  The pattern established by Canon is to never 
assume with  absolute certainty the worst of an ambiguous 
character, nor assume the  best about someone you don't know.  
Sirius Black should have been  trusted (or at least given a 
chance to defend himself).  Percy should  not extend blanket 
trust to Ministry Officials.<
> 
> Will the ultimate reality of the Potterverse be that no one can be 
trusted?  The spirit of the Canon, thus far, seems to be directly 
 opposed to this view.  Dumbledore trusts when others do not, 
and this,  based on Harry's experience so far, is the path to truth.  
Dumbledore's  one, grievous error thus far was his failure to fully 
confide in and trust Harry.<

Pippin:
I would say the ultimate reality is that we should trust people 
based on their choices, and not the easy choices but the difficult 
ones. Dumbledore had ample opportunity to observe that Harry 
was making choices worthy of any adult wizard. 

I would be readier to trust Lupin if his choices so far had been 
wiser. He's sympathetic and likable, but he keeps taking the 
easy path. Look for Lupin's  moral fibre and you'll find Kleenex 
where Harry has Kevlar. 

I would also say, in regard to the mystery plots, that I expect them 
to be resolved--we *will* find out why Snape left the DE's, what 
was in that note to Petunia, why the language describing Sirius's 
murder is not more specific as to who killed him, who betrayed 
Sturgis Podmore, etc, etc. 

Pippin