Random Thoughts on Draco

[kempermentor]

No: HPFGUIDX 125440


Steve shared some thoughts:

<snipping a lot>

I think this degree of restraint and formality permeates all aspects
of the Malfoys life; they way they view and interact with other
people, the way they carry and conduct themselves, in the way they
treat their kids, and indeed, even in Mr and Mrs Malfoy marriage and
relationship.

Mr and Mrs Malfoy's marriage is a dignified strategic alliance; the
merging of two old respected wealthy pureblood families. There are
limits and boundaries on who and how the old-money elite can marry,
just as there are social restrictions on the marriages of the Royal
Family. It is a social obligation. Heaven forbid that they should
sully themselves with /common/ relationships.


Kemper's thoughts:

I'm not sure that Lucius comes from old-money.  I think he married 
into old money when he married Narcissa.  My impression of the very 
few people I know who are born into money is that they don't continue 
to tell you how wealthy they are or how poor you are.  What they buy 
should impress upon others how wealthy they are without them needing 
to say out loud how rich they are.  

I think Lucius sees himself as `rich' and not `wealthy'.  `Rich', to 
me, seems to be a word that someone who lives in 
absence/deficiency/poverty might use.  As in, "I wish I was rich" 
or "I'm going to be rich someday."  These phrases suggest envy.

`Wealthy', to me, seems to be a word that someone who lives in 
abundance or born/raised in money might use.  It suggests not only 
security but a way of life.



Back to Steve's <snipped> thoughts:

So why would the son of a Death Eater (Draco) and the son of a Death
Eater *fighter* (Harry) even remotely concided a friendship?

Simple... strategic alliance. Harry is a hero in the wizard world,
beyond a hero, he is a legend; he has status, and though rarely used,
privilege in the wizard world. Naturally, Draco would want to align
himself with other persons of status and privilege.


Kemper's quick thought:

Or simple strategy.  Keep your friends close and your enemies 
closer.  


Back to <snipped> Steve:


Sadly, while Draco is adept at enjoying wealth, status, and privilege,
he is not very good at playing the game. His father, Lucius, however
is an expert a playing the game of power and privilege. Perhaps, he
should have given Draco a few more lessons.

<snipped example>


Kemper:

Even if Lucius was a natural mentor, he doesn't really know the rules 
of the Status Game to coach Draco effectively.  All he knows is that 
money can buy things and privilege.  Brooms and Fudge's ear.  This is 
what Draco knows.  

I find it hard to believe that Draco is the only wealthy family in 
Slytherin.  Why didn't their families chip in for some brooms for the 
team?  I would guess that those families didn't need to prove that 
they had money.  Quiditch is just a game.

I seem to recall from JKR's site that in a synopsis of a deleted 
chapter we see Draco being uncomfortable/awkward with Theodore at the 
Nott mansion.  Why?  

I am reminded of Willy Loman and his son Biff (or Happy?) from "Death 
of a Salesman" and their foil characters next door, also a father and 
son.  Willy wants so much to be like his neighbor but fails 
miserably.  Or for a more modern example
 BBC's "the Office".  The 
character, David Brent, and his foil Neil Godwin.  David is in a 
position of power but no one likes or respects him.  Neil is in a 
position of power and is liked and respected.  There is lots of funny 
in "the Office", much more than in "Death of a Salesman".  
I'm on a 
tangent.

Theodore Nott, through jkr's site, doesn't seem to need to prove 
himself.  Draco does.  Nott seems to possess a subtle self assurance 
that Draco lacks.  A self-assurance that was most likely role modeled 
by a father who was self assured and comfortable with himself and 
with his wealth.  Lucius, OTOH, tries to present himself as self 
assured but comes across as an a-hole who might fear that he will no 
longer be rich.  


Kemper
contributed thoughts and a tangent