Characters and Consequences?

[M. Thitathan]

No: HPFGUIDX 141684

 

> CH3ed: 
<SNIP>
So DD knew Harry would suffer living with the Dursleys, but it would be the kind of suffering that builds characters."  
<Snip>



Lupinlore answered: 
"However, unfortunately that lands Albus right back in the cauldron I think JKR was trying to get him out of.  Namely, he comes off as a high-handed and manipulative old man who presumes to decide that a childhood of suffering "builds character."  Not an attractive figure, 
and hardly an "epitome of goodness."  It also once again resurrects questions about why he didn't actively intervene at the Dursleys, for instance to get Harry out of the closet, etc.  He even comes off as something of a hypocrite in HBP, scolding the Dursleys for something he knew they would do."

<Snip>

 

 

CH3ed now: 
Albus D. did indeed have his flaws. I think that is what JKR intended, tho. I think through out the series she has taught the children who read her books more of what the real world would be like than books that do go for Godly Good versus Absolute Evil themes like Narnia. I don't think JKR wants us to put Albus D. on the pedestal, but to admire him for being a very good man who respected others free will. That Albus D. was flawed in being too detached from the emotional side of things because he was so left-brain oriented only makes him more relatable to real life. A wizarding version of the absent-minded genius professor, kind of. I think he would have came of looking like a hypocrite for scolding at the Dursleys for treating Harry badly IF Albus D. himself would have done exactly what the Dursleys had done. But since I think Albus D. would have done it differently (he would have treated Harry like his own son) he didn't come out from that scene looking like a hypocrite
to me at all. 

CH3ed