Does JKR want us to hate Draco?/ Snape v Draco

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 129745

Geoff:
Perhaps I need to reiterate from my comments in recent posts that I 
am /not/ suggesting that Draco is going to come over to the good 
side; what I am saying to those who have written him off as evil is 
that the jury is still out. The books are not ended; we have not 
seen how he will develop in his last two years at Hogwarts.

Alla:

Everything is possible of course. I am still expecting many 
interesting revelations about the past of Marauders and Snape for 
example. I am just saying that two books may not be enough to write 
credible redemption for Draco. As I said previously - I don't see 
any hints in the books so far, except of course that Draco is still 
a child, but again I have known quite a few of bad children, who did 
not change. ( Several of my former classmates back in Ukraine for 
example went down the road of the criminals and believe it or not I 
sort of expected it to happen even though last time when I saw them 
we were fourteen - fifteen years old)


Geoff: 
<SNIP>
There are many real life examples of "baddies" who have changed 
their life as a result and, as someone has said, JKR could create a 
situation where Draco's world view undergoes a sea change - which 
would be a great surprise to the poeple of the Wizarding World and 
of the real world but not beyond the realms of the possible.

Alla:

Again, it IS possible, but based on how I read JKR's intent towards 
Draco ( and of course I can be dead wrong), it is not the path she 
is going to put this character on. She is sort of gave up on his 
development, IMO. I think it also a matter of book space. If it was  
Draco's story, then she could have done plenty with him in last two 
books, IMO, but it is not. It is Harry's story and for Draco's 
redemption to be written credibly, some hints should have been 
dropped earlier than book 6, IMO.

Geoff: 
What has prompted my thoughts on this is the fact that I believe
many contributors to this group are guilty of holding a double
standard. We are told that Snape is on the side of good; Dumbledore
himself has vouched for his reliability. However, Snape has behaved
equally or more nastily towards pupils than Draco. Snape has behaved
equally or more viciously towards pupils than Draco. Snape has
behaved equally or more confrontationally towards pupils than Draco.
 
However, because the good professor is a supporter of the cause of
good, we are expected to see this as being acceptable behaviour from
him, although perhaps we do so reluctantly. Because Draco is linked
to the Dark side, when he behaves nastily or viciously or
confrontationally, his attitudes are pilloried as being
unacceptable, evil and dangerous.


Alla:


Ummm, I hope you don't include me in this group of "holding a double 
standard" Geoff. :-)

If I were to grade Draco and Snape's behaviour towards other 
students, then absolutely no doubt about it, Snape will take the 
first place as much more dangerous, abusive, etc. ( take your pick) 
simply because Draco for the most part is no match for HRH ( NOT for 
the lack of trying though)

BUT when we move from the area of personal relationships into the 
area of Dark v Light, then  the fact that Snape is on Dumbledore's 
side ( and even here surprises are possible, IMO) starts playing its 
role.

I am not sure why you see it as double standard, really. I just 
separate Snape as teacher and Snape as member of Order. He IS a 
child abuser, IMO only of course, but he is NOT, IMO only of course, 
Voldemort's supporter anymore.
Draco at the same time has a very big potential to become 
Voldemort's supporter, IMO.  So, if I were to judge that aspect of 
their personalities I would call Snape a better person than Draco.

But I am not calling Snape a good person in general, not at all. I 
am calling him a bad person who is on the side of Light.

Pippin:
But baddies can have a change of heart. Now suppose that JKR
plans a scene where Harry is informed that Draco has decided
to turn against Voldemort. Harry has big trouble believing 
this, especially because no one will tell him why. Not that
I'm predicting it, but suppose that Harry has to decide whether
to give Draco a second chance.

Why would JKR stomp on the suspense by telling us in advance
that Draco is capable of redemption?


Alla:

Good point, Pippin. IF the only reason for Draco's redemption would 
be to make Harry grow as a person and it is possibloe since it is 
Harry's story, JKR may want to keep quiet about Draco's path. But I 
would think that she would like to develop Draco's character too and 
honsetly I would consider such redemption to be a sloppy writing. I 
would want to know why exactly Draco suddenly decided to see the 
light, personally.

Besides, keeping quiet is one thing, but JKR is talking about Draco 
ina very negative way ( I belong to the group of readers who don't 
believe that she lies in the interviews. :-)) 


Just my opinion,

Alla.