Dumbledore the teacher (was: Umbridge, detention, scars, and plotlines, oh my!.

[phoenixgod2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 126074



> Betsy:

> I think Dumbledore would much prefer that that final moment, even 
if 
> if it's a nanosecond moment, be between him and Voldemort.  And I 
> think it's very difficult (or was anyway, I think Dumbledore 
learns 
> from his mistakes) for Dumbledore to deal with the fact that the 
> final moment is Harry's.  Which is very different from the usual 
> mind set of the "wise old man" in hero's journey tales.  Usually 
the 
> role of mentor and teacher is old hat to the wiseman character.  
In 
> this case, Dumbledore is filling that role for the first time 
> really, and he's learned that it is not an easy role to fill.

I don't think we're going to convince each other of our respective 
pov, Betsy. I understand what you are saying and can see how you 
come to it, but I still don't buy that Dumbledore would be that 
reluctant to tell Harry what he needed to know. It just struck me as 
completely out of the character (As I understood him) that had been 
established in the previous four books. Remember, this is the same 
man who *encouraged* Harry to travel back in time, in a dangerous 
stunt that could wipe him from existence, a man who *rewarded* Harry 
for his quick actions in books one and two instead of punish him 
because of the danger, and then, in book four saw Harry outwit a 
dragon, survive a duel with his nemesis, and do other countlessly 
brave things. Then, all of a sudden, in the fifth book he wants to 
shield Harry because he cares too much? No, I just don't buy it. DD 
knows what Harry can do and never seemed overly concerned with 
shielding him from danger in the previous books.  Honestly, I 
thought DD respected Harry more.

phoenixgod2000, who thought DD was the second best character before 
book five and hopes book six redeems him