ANTIVIRUS - humble attempt of building a ship

[Mira]

No: HPFGUIDX 129182

I thought a while ago that one source of inspiration,
probably secondary, for the plot of each book might be
the illustration of one deadly sin versus one cardinal
virtue. It is only now that I'll take the time to
elaborate on the idea. I know there are some very
interesting essays in the Files section relative to
this subject, but they seem to me more general rather
than about the HP world specifically. I haven't seen a
similar theory yet, but I don't doubt that somebody
has thought of it before, which is why I'll call it,
for the time being, ANachronical Theory about
Ineffable VIRtues and Ugly Sins (ANTIVIRUS).

It is pretty clear that the central theme of PS is
Avarice vs. Generosity: Dudley's ravenous appetite for
more, more, more presents versus Harry's modesty and
will to share his possessions with others (for
instance when he buys sweets for Ron too on Hogwarts
Express), everything Slytherin versus what you want
Gryffindor, but more importantly, Voldemort's
incapacity of finding the stone because he wanted it
for himself, unlike Harry who sought it to protect the
WW. Even the Mirror of Desire, the item with the most
symbolic potential of this book, lures those who see
it into escaping in a world of most precious gifts and
forgetting to share themselves with the rest of the
world.

CoS seems to be pretty clearly about Lust vs Chastity:
Ginny fell under the dangerous spell of the diary
because it fed her infatuation with Harry, most of the
victims of the Basilisc have been somehow guilty of
this sin: Colin who 'lusts' for Harry's friendship,
Nearly Headless Nick who lusts for life, Mrs Norris of
dubious relationship with the sadistic Filth (joking
here, but you get the idea), Penelope who was secretly
dating Percy, Hermione with her groupie tendencies for
Lockhart. Lockhart himself, who induces the sin of
lust and lusts himself for fame is exemplarily
punished. Moreover, the Basilisc whispers all around
the piping system his lust for killing, Riddle
confesses his lust for power and fails to understand
how the chaste love of a mother, chaste bravery
symbolised by Gryffindor's sword and pure loyalty can
defeat him. We can also count in Dobby's lust for
freedom and control, though this might be stretching
the concept a little. There are other examples, but
this is already enough, I think.

I am having trouble with the PoA. We see instances of
Sloth (for instance Harry and Ron's failure to help
Hagrid) vs Hermione's Zeal, we can argue that victims
of Dementors can either lazily lament their fate or
zealously seeking to fight it, we see Peter's
complacency versus Sirius' stubbornness, but I am not
entirely sure about the best interpretation, because
there might also be there a few possible examples of
Gluttony or Pride. I would welcome any help on this
one. Small details like the totally unprofessional but
miraculously effective Knight Bus might support the
Sloth vs Zeal theme, but it is not the only possible
interpretation.

GoF is almost certainly about Envy vs. Charity. We see
Ron betraying his friendship with Harry because he
envies him, we see the same Ron jealous about Krum, we
see Fleur being quite individualistic and finishing as
the last champion, we see Rita with her poison-green
words and insinuations. Most importantly, Harry and
Cedric win the cup because they help each other, and
Harry manages to escape Voldemort mostly through the
charity of Voldemort's last victims, but he pays his
debt by bringing Cedric's body back in spite of risks.
DEs envy each other and try to sink all the other
supporters of Voldemort so that they'll gain the most
power and gratitude. 

OotP doesn't seem to raise any problems of
interpretation: Harry is red-furious at Dumbledore for
avoiding him, at his friends because they don't keep
him posted, and at himself for putting Sirius in
danger. Sirius is furious that he is not allowed to
work actively for the order, Kreacher is furious that
his mistress' house is devastated, Snape stops
Occlumency lesson out of the wrath for Harry
witnessing his most humiliating memory, the whole
school and all readers are furious at Umbridge for her
unfairness, Centaurs are furious at Hagrid for
invading 'their' forest and at Firenze for 'slaving'
the humans, Malfoy ends up as furious with Harry for
putting Lucius in prison, Cho is furious with the
world for giving her hormones, Hermione is furious at
fhe elves being used as slaves, and elves are in turn
furious at her for trying to trick them into freedom,
Molly is furious because her children want to put
themselves in danger and at Percy for insulting his
family, McGo is furious of Dolores' presumptuousness,
Voldemort is furious for not knowing the full contents
of the prophecy, in fact it is quite a relief that
Luna's meekness was allowed in, together with Ginny's
optimism, Dumbledore's tactfulness and, compensating
for every possible wrath, the twins' magistral exit.

What now? If we agree to assign Sloth vs Zeal to PoA
then we are left with Pride vs Humility and Gluttony
vs Moderation. It is my belief that the two will be
played hard in the following books, with bad guys
paying for their greed, perhaps the Dursleys starting
to see the light and allow for others' needs as well,
and most importantly, Harry's modesty in front of
fate, death included, prevailing over Voldemort's wish
to live forever and rule the world. Percy's gluttony
for power might also feature. Pride vs Humility is so
important that I think it will be saved for the last
book. Centaurs will have to lower their pride and
collaborate with wizards. Wizards will have to stop
believing themselve superior to muggles. Neville, as
the humble one, might give even Harry certain lessons
about the dangers of pride, not to mention that Harry
himself will understand why James and Sirius'
arrogance was not all that worthy of praise and
discover in him the gentle strength of his mother.

I am sorry if this sounds boring or if it was
discussed before, and I look forward to reading your
replies, should you find that it is worth commenting
on this idea.

Mira