Prefect Ron (was DD on the Dursleys).

[OctobersChild48 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 151154

In a message dated 4/17/06 11:09:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
belviso at attglobal.net writes:


> Then he pulls out that, "I really wanted to make you, 
> Prefect, you know!" (Hey Ron, you were right to feel inadequate!  And thank 
> goodness Harry has that awful hardship fixed!) with his single tear.

Since this has been brought up I would like to introduce a new thread, or at 
least new since I joined this list.

In fact, IMO, Ron WAS inadequate as Prefect material and as a Prefect. I 
think this is one of the worst contrivances JKR has foisted on us. I was totally 
incredulous when Ron received his notice that he was made Prefect. It didn't 
surprise me at all that Hermione was made a Prefect because she was so right for 
it. I, of course, expected Harry to be made a Prefect, and Dumbledore's 
speech at least explained why he wasn't, not that I agree with his decision, but 
Ron of all people? Puhleeze! There was absolutely nothing to recommend Ron as a 
viable candidate for it. He is not a good student, doesn't show signs of being 
particularly magically gifted, is guilty of much rule breaking, yes, I know, 
so is Harry, and has never shown any kind of leadership qualities. Nor does he 
seem to be driven to succeed in any way. And he isn't particularly overloaded 
with self confidence. All of this plays out in his performance as a Prefect, 
which is dismal at best. By the end of OoP we are made to understand why Harry 
wasn't made Prefect, but I still have to ask what was JKR's intention by 
making Ron one? I do understand that part of it was meant to create yet more angst 
for Harry, but why do that to Ron? Why put him in a position that he was so 
inadequate for? 

Sandy, who thinks making Harry a Prefect would have been a contrivance too, 
but would have made better sense than Ron.