Love and Vengeance (WAS: The Dursleys and Being Nice and Civil)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 145746

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:
  
What is *JKR's* inclination 
> here?  What is *her* view of Good, Right, Fair and Just?  I'm 
> inclined to agree with Debbie that it's likely to revolve around 
> mercy and a renunciation of vengeance.  I totally *understand* why 
> some would not find that "fair" nor satisfying, but since it's 
> rather in alignment with my own view of things (and with DD's as 
> well, I believe), then I know I'm in pretty good shape if 
something 
> of this sort occurred.


Chuckle.  I'm not at all sure DD is a person who I would take as a 
model of effective decision making.  But be that as it may, I think 
one problem isn't so much the issue of justice and satisfaction 
(although those certainly are extremely important issues which other 
threads are exploring) as the -- *sigh* how to put it? -- sheer and 
overwhelming SERMONIZING that would constitute.  If we end up with 
something as, well, extreme as this, I would have to say that for 
someone who has a horror of preaching JKR has shown a rather insipid 
inclination to engage in it. 

Now, I have to admit that I think JKR's claim to hate sermonizing  
and to have a horror of preaching at her readers is a little -- 
*double sigh* once again how to put it? -- disingenuous.  I 
sometimes get the impression that she has some very detailed sermons 
on certain subjects she would just love to preach, given the right 
pulpit and the opportunity to protest at every step to the lectern 
just how much she hates preaching and doesn't want to do this.  She 
reminds me a little of a diva who gets dragged on stage and 
says "Oh, I just couldn't.  You know I hate to sing in public!  
Well, okay, if you could just give me the key of B-flat?  I really 
have not talent for this, you know.  I don't want -- I said B-flat, 
pianist.  You are all just going to make me die of embarassment!  I 
really don't want -- I SAID KEY OF B-FLAT!"

I have to admit that I have VERY little patience with people like 
that.  And my response to such an ending would be:  "Okay, you said 
you have a horror of preaching and you've just given me a flat out 
sermon.  It isn't a bad sermon, as such things go, but it is out-and-
out preaching, the very thing you said you weren't going to do.  In 
other words you lied to me and, in effect, sold me your books under 
false pretences.  And I don't appreciate being lied to.  No, I don't 
appreciate it at all."


Lupinlore