Thin air/Choices Was re:sex/VanishingCabinet/SoulsEtc/Badger/Ch.2/

[Matt]

No: HPFGUIDX 140044

--- Nora (referring to free will question):
> > In the Potterverse, I don't think so.  That's a
> > very existentialist perspective, and would be 
> > demonstrated through a statement such as our choices 
> > making us who we are.  But once you say 'show' instead  
> > of 'make' (as Dumbledore does), the emphasis is put 
> > onto illustration  of qualities, carrying out actions 
> > which correspond to qualities--not making those 
> > qualities in oneself.  Essentialism.
> > 
> > One gets the impression that Rowling thinks of her 
> > characters with very well-defined character, strong 
> > personality traits and qualities at the bottom which 
> > their actions stem from.  That's not to say that change 
> > is impossible--but she clearly has a strong idea of 
> > innate abilities, particularly illustrated if you 
> > look at her comments on Neville as opposed to Harry.

--houyhnhnm:
> I think you are right about the quote from CoS.  And the 
> behavior of the characters seldom deviates from the 
> pattern that has been established for them.
> 
> The following passage has me still thinking of Dumbledore 
> as something of an existentialist, though.
> 
> [snip passage about indeterminacy of prophecy.]

I agree with those who read the constant rhetorical emphasis in the
books on choices as an indication that Rowling (like her proxy,
Dumbledore) views those choices as the essence or building blocks of
character, not as merely revealing character.  The word "show" in the
quote from COS can be reconciled with the choice-centered view -- it
could simply be poetic; but I don't see how Dumbledore's constant
focus on choice and persuasion could be reconciled with a view in
which people possess a static character and their choices are more or
less preordained.  More of my thoughts on this subject are at #138532
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/138532).

I am surprised that no one has brought up in this connection the
interaction between Dumbledore and Draco on the tower.  Once again,
Dumbledore's language in that scene could be read as an affirmation of
the theory that Draco's choices simply prove who he is.  But
Dumbledore's *actions* -- engaging in a lengthy dialogue to try to
persuade Draco to step back from the brink -- strongly suggest that he
thinks Draco's decision is very much in doubt.  Dumbledore is teaching
here, just as he is in the scene at the end of GF, when he exhorts the
students to choose what is right, not what is easy.  And ultimately I
don't think Dumbledore would have chosen the career that he did if he
did not believe his charges could be taught, on a moral level as well
as a practical one.

-- Matt