In Defense of DD (was Re: DD's dilemma)

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 126892


stickbook: "Isn't it wonderful how we can all get such different
impressions of the same event? Steve read Dumbledore as having a
zen-like calm, Lupinlore a cold indifference, and as for me, I read it
as plain old guilt. Dumbledore felt guilty for not being able to see a
way around his perceived mistakes (ten years with the Dursleys, etc),
hence the single tear and the allowance of Harry to smash up his office.

"Also, I got the impression that Dumbledore had been waiting for and
dreading this explosion from Harry for a long time. He tells Harry
that he'd been dreading having to explain the whole bit about the
prophecy, but what he was really dreading was the big question that
Harry would eventually put to him: "If you're so wise and powerful,
why haven't you made my life any easier?" More guilt; there's no
satisfactory answer."

Guilt, remorse, sadness, fatigue. I think Dumbledore's show of
compassion was completely appropriate; the proof, to my mind, was that
it was effective.  Harry left Dumbledore's office in a much better
state of mind and understanding a lot more. DD explained himself,
grieved for his mistakes, let Harry vent. Showy displays of
"compassion" are more about comforting the comforter than the person
comforted.

stickbook: "... who feels a bit naive taking the scene at such face
value."

Don't feel naive.  Feel wise that you aren't outsmarting yourself. The
"nothing is what it looks like" mind-set is where conspiracy theories
are born. Most of them sink without a ripple.

Jim Ferer