Draco = Evil?(was: Elkins' Draco Malfoy Is Ever So Lame. )

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 124958


SSSusan:
See, I have a hard time with statements like "his family name has
been besmirched" and "Draco has lost his father." "Has been
besmirched" and "has lost" imply a degree of passivity which I don't
find in this instance. Who's besmirched the family name? No one.
Draco's father has brought these things upon himself & his family by
his own choices & actions; the things didn't happen *to* him. One
reaps what one sows, no? And while Draco was not involved in the
actions directly, don't all signs indicate that he approves of his
father's choices & actions?

As for the mature response being to separate Draco from his father's
sins in order to feel compassion for Draco, well, how `bout the
reverse? Should Draco be able to separate Harry from who/what his
parents were [Draco's dad's boss's enemies] and feel compassion for
this boy who TRULY lost his father... AND his mother... and not just
to prison, but forever?

I see myself as a pretty compassionate person, a pretty sympathetic
person and, yes, a pretty mature person. Yet I don't think Draco
does a thing to convince anyone they should separate him from his
father's sins or feel compassion for his "loss." I certainly feel
little compassion for him as a reader.

vmonte responds:
Great post SSSusan! I agree completely. I cannot feel compassion for 
Draco because he lacks the ability to feel compassion for others. 
Draco is simply horrible, and not a very smart villain. 

* He brags when he should keep his mouth shut
* He warns when he should keep his mouth shut
* He announces when he should sneak attack

He does not have the ability to think things through--and is not a 
long-term planner.  

Harry is definitely going to have to save this kid's life at some 
point.

Vivian