Lupin as metaphor (was SHIP and RL experiences)

[Rebecca Hoskins]

No: HPFGUIDX 136992

Lynda first wrote:
<snip>I think you may be right about Lupin being a metaphor for 
>an HIV infected person. 
 
Rebecca:
That is a very good point! It had never occured to me that Lupin and 
his condition were a metaphor for anything, but I have to agree that 
there is a certain anaology between WW attidudes to 'werewolfism' and 
western attitudes to HIV/AIDS, particularly back in the late eighties 
and early nineties. It would be interesting have the opportunity to 
ask JKR whether this was intentional or coincidental. Either way, it 
is food for thought.

Sherry Gomes
> I've always thought Remus was meant to represent disability in 
> general...Many people still consider those of us with 
> disabilities to be monsters of a sort, scary and not quite
> human or not quite as good as able bodied people. 

 
Rebecca:
 I think that some of the "scariness" comes from not knowing what
to say and how to act, being scared of getting it wrong and so 
avoiding the subject altogether. It has taken the diagnosis of 
one of my children with a mental disability to make me more aware
 of my actions/ inactions and how they might be perceived. It's a  
hard lesson, and one I hope that I hope that few of you will ever  
have to go through.

Sherry Gomes
> it's why I'm particularly partial to Remus and would like
> to see him happy and learning to live with and accept his 
> condition in the end, not necessarily to do anything heroic,
> but just learning to live with peace and some happiness.

Rebecca:
Hear hear!! I would love to see Remus Lupin "live happily ever 
after". And not because he's a tragic figure but because he's 
so gentle and thoughtful, and I've adored him since he was 
introduced in POA - long before we discovered his 'furry 
little problem'.

I truly hope that JKR doesn't kill him off.

Rebecca