[HPforGrownups] Re: Lupin as metaphor (was SHIP and RL experiences)

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 137045

Pippin:
Jo has weighed in on the subject of Lupin as metaphor:

http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2002/110
2-fraser-scotsman.html

He's a damaged person, literally and metaphorically. I think 
it's important  for children to know that adults, too, have their 
problems, that they struggle.  His being a werewolf is a metaphor 
for people's reactions to illness and disability.
----
I think it's important that Jo says it's the reactions to the
condition that are the point of her metaphor, not  the condition
itself.

Jo goes on to say that there's much more backstory
to her characters than she can put in the books. I can see Lupin
being bisexual, but only as another facet of his deeply divided 
character, not as a statement about accepting different forms of 
sexuality. Not that they shouldn't be accepted, I'm just afraid  
Lupin is not going to end up as a character readers admire.

The smoking wand  is the disappearance of Fenrir. Last we
saw, he was stupefied. He didn't escape with Snape, and yet he
seems to be still at large; at least, if he'd been captured, I can't
imagine Rufus Scrimgeour not bringing it up as he tries to
persuade Harry to help the Ministry.

I'm afraid someone in the castle must have rescued Fenny.
 Dear, dear, who'd do a thing like that? 

Pippin



Sherry now:

If a person had caused my blindness by malicious intent, I would hardly
consider joining that person in crimes against society and helping that
person evade capture and punishment, especially knowing he would attack
other people and cause them to be disabled as well.  I sincerely hope JKR
does not end up with ESE Lupin because it would continue the negative
stereotypes against werewolves, and by extension, since she says he
represents disability, it would continue the negative stereotypes against
people with disabilities.  Not saying that there aren't plenty of criminals
with disabilities, but a lot of the world already thinks we are monsters
anyway.  I don't think she'll go that way.  Besides, i can't bear to think
of how Harry would feel if it ended up being true!  his father's last
remaining friend, a traitor.  

Sherry