Moral Ambiguity in Main Characters.

[quigonginger]

No: HPFGUIDX 127007


Hannah wrote:
> > Dumbledore's rewarding or overlooking 
> > Harry's blatant disobedience to  rules,
> > while acknowledging (in Book 4) his own
> > ambiguous moral compass  ("It is my belief
> >. that truth is generally preferable to lies.")
> 
Eggplant replied:
> You've lost me, I find it hard to believe you disagree with what
> Dumbledore said.
> 
Ginger adds: 

I can't answer for Hannah, but I think I can see where it could be 
considered ambiguous.  

I read it as "Truth is generally preferable to lies" meaning that one 
should, as a general rule, tell the truth, but that there are some 
circumstances where a lie is ok.  "No, that dress doesn't make your 
butt look big."  "Yes, Aunt Zelda, we loved the cookies you sent.  We 
shared them with friends and they were begging for more."  Leave out 
the fact that the friends were Spot and Rover.  

In that sense, I would agree with DD.

Another way of reading it, which may or may not be what Hannah saw in 
his words, is that lying is ok if the truth is too bothersome or if 
it could get you in trouble.  Perjury, false insurance claims, con 
jobs, and things of that nature are not what I'd call morally proper, 
but I don't think that's what DD meant.

I once had a boyfriend who never lied; he "facilitated 
communication".  That is, he told people whatever they wanted to 
hear, regardless of the truth, so they would leave him alone.  And 
that's why he's alone now. ;o) 

DD seems straight-forward enough unless it is something he feels 
needs to be kept under wraps.  I think if he lies, it is by omission, 
or by allowing people to draw their own false conclusions, which is 
another moral kettle of fish.  

Just my thoughts,
Ginger, who knows darn well that it isn't the dress's fault.