Vicarious Retribution (long)

[quigonginger]

No: HPFGUIDX 128802

This will probably get long.  Sorry for that in advance.  This would 
also be a good time to insert the "my opinion only" statement so I 
don't have to type IMO over and over.  Hem hem:  All opinions herein 
are my opinions and mine alone.  Agreement, disagreement, discussion 
and other civil exercises are welcome.  Any disagreement with the 
content of previous posts is not intended as a personal attack, and 
the rights and opinions of the writers of said posts are in no way 
questioned or dismissed.

Ok, now to business.

Time and time again, listees have expressed concern about fairness in 
certain scenes.  I am going to refer specificly to Snape in the 
Pensieve, Dudley's tail, and Ferret!Draco.  In each case someone who 
is supposed to be good (In Fake!Moody's case, I am going with our 
initial reading.  That is, that from Harry's perspective, he WAS 
Moody.)  Yet each did something that was a bad thing.  Each did it to 
a character to whom we are not sympathetic.  I have a theory on this.

I am one who does not see any religious significance in the books.  
Then again, I'm as thick as the probervial concussed troll, so YMMV.  
I do believe that JKR, as a Christian has her faith and beliefs 
floating around in her head and that it effects her writing as much 
as any other aspect of her life.

This will not be a religous post.  But I do have to dip into some 
religious terminology.  I think that JKR has merged 2 concepts of 
Christianity as a literary devise.  I don't think she uses them in a 
religious sense, but that her religion has given her the background 
and insights.

Caveat:  Anyone who avoids religious stuff can take a deep breath and 
read the next two paragraphs quickly.  After that, I promise, the 
rest won't have any religious discussion.  The purpose of this 
paragraph is basicly defining terms.

One of the cornerstone concepts of Christianity is "vicarious 
atonement".  In the Bible, it is stated that all have sinned, all 
must atone, and that we are not able to do this on our own.  Christ 
willingly took all our sins upon himself and paid the price of 
eternal damnation for us.  Since he was perfect, he did not *deserve* 
punishment, yet he received it.  Since he received it in our place, 
we will not be punished as atonement has been made.

Another concept is "divine retribution".  In the Bible, it states 
that God is responsible for vengence, not us.  We are not to act out 
in anger, but to leave it to God.

Ok, religious stuff over.  Feel free to breathe.  I didn't include 
Bible references, as that was not the intent of the post, but 
interested parties may feel free to contact me offlist.

I feel that JKR has combined elements of these two concepts and 
merged them into what I will call "vicarious retribution".

In each of the cases I listed: 
1)  A "good" character does something "bad" to a "bad" character. 
(This is oversimplified for the moment-bear with me.)
2)  The "bad" character is one who has repeatedly caused Harry grief.
3)  Harry is generally not able to avenge himself for these 
wrongdoings.
4)  Each particular incident involves a "bad" person being humiliated 
in a manner which cannot be justified *within the context of the 
immediate situation*.

In the case of Dudley, Hagrid gives him a pig's tail despite the fact 
that Dudley has done nothing to Hagrid, nor is he *at that time* 
causing Hagrid any trouble.

Moody turns Draco into a ferret (and bounces him) despite the fact 
that Draco has done nothing to Moody.  Granted, Moody is acting as a 
teacher, but his choice of punishment is not consistant with that 
allowed a teacher.  The punishment doesn't fit the crime committed 
*at that time*.

Snape is humiliated by James and Sirius for no reason *at that time*.

People have wondered if we are supposed to cheer simply because one 
character is "good" and the other "bad" or if this is a case of JKR 
showing the grey in human nature, as opposed to black and white.

I propose that JKR is using a literary sense of "cosmic justice" for 
lack of a better word (or phrase).  "Vengance is mine", saith JKR, so 
to speak.  Harry can not avenge himself for the sufferings he has 
received at that hands of Dudley, Draco and Snape, so JKR does it for 
him.  Perhaps she doesn't want him to sink to their level, but still 
wants these three to pay for what they have done to Harry.  

By avenging Harry through others, she allows the reader a sense of 
justice.  Each character gets his comeuppance (or in Snape's case, 
dropdownance) for the way they have treated Harry.  Kind of a "what 
comes around, goes around" philosophy.  

Notice Harry's reaction to Dudley's tail and Ferret!Draco.  He 
doesn't feel bad for them but he doesn't outright cheer either.  In 
Dudley's case, he goes on to ask Hagrid about magic.  In Draco's 
case, his reaction isn't shown, rather his reaction to Ron's reaction 
is shown.  He laughs at Ron's reaction rather than at Draco.

This is in contrast to his reaction to Snape.  In this case, he is 
horrified.  In the grand scheme of things, readers want to see Snape 
shown up by someone, but in the pensieve, it rings hollow.  It is out 
of chronology.  Snape has, in his life, yet to do the things for 
which we wish to see him have to answer.  

I think that when all is said and done, that Harry will not "pay 
back" any of the wrongs done to him, either through circumstance of 
by his own choice.  I think that JKR doesn't want the readers to feel 
that Draco, Snape, and Dudley have "gotten away with it", so she 
takes matters into her own hands.  Justice is served, but in a 
roundabout way.  

I also think she plays it for laughs with the first two scenes, and 
for insight into character in the Snape's case.  Not that there isn't 
a laugh there if one is the sort to find it.  I can't speak for JKR 
on that one, but I got a laugh out of it.

So there you have it.  Vicarious retribution.  Harry won't get back 
at people, but JKR will.  Harry does not need to seek revenge, nor do 
the Snape, Draco and Dudley have to seek atonement.  It has been 
taken care of.

Ginger, whose company is due to arrive at any minute.  Gaah!