[HPforGrownups] Slughorn makes me uneasy

[IreneMikhlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 138235

delwynmarch wrote:

> 
> So anytime I run accross such a Slughorn scene, I feel uneasy. I know
> that my personal past history of abuse is for a lot in this unease,
> but what I'm wondering is whether JKR was really *not* counting on
> such a reaction? JKR is not stupid, and she's not naive or
> inexperienced either. I am pretty sure that she knew exactly what she
> was doing with Slughorn (even the name...), and that she *meant* for
> this behaviour of Slughorn's to be a red flag for her readers.
> 

Ouch, I'd hope not. It's a tradition well described in boarding-school 
stories - teachers often have a group of favourites whom they invite for 
tea or weekend parties. It does not have to be sinister, I'm not at all 
sure JKR meant for it to bring sinister connotations.

People keep saying "he is elitist" as if it was an universally 
acknowledged bad thing. It is not. As long as his choices are based on 
talent and knowledge, not just on connections and wealth, it's OK with me.

Irene