[HPforGrownups] Special treatment of Harry or not WAS:Re: Lessons in the book

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 146099

Ceridwen:

I was pleased 
that he was horrified over what he accidentally did.  That he did submit
without question to Snape's instructions was a 
hopeful sign, I think.  He was indeed appalled at what he had done.  
It's only later, when the shock and horror wear off, that he slips 
back into his more selfish mode of detention being a nuisance.  Not 
that his friends helped him to keep humble about it, they excused him 
and moved on to the 'really important' things.

But, his later disagreeing with the detention is merely a 
continuation of the same attitude he's had all through the books 
regarding detention and other punishments.  

Sherry now:
i agree that Harry doesn't give a rip much about detention, and I also agree
that it is a pretty common feeling among kids.  i think especially if it
comes from someone you dislike or disrespect.  He was far more affected by a
few well chosen words from Lupin in POA, than he'd ever be by detention from
Snape.  But I think there's something more in this last detention.  how
could Harry have anything but contempt for a detention designed to try to
give him a bad impression of his father and godfather?  my dad was so very
far from perfect, and my siblings and I can admit it and laugh about it.
however, we don't allow outsiders to discuss him that way.  i would highly
resent a detention that had me having to read letters from all my dad's
ex-wives for instance.  it would make me completely close off my feelings or
thoughts about the reason I was getting the detention or the rightness and
wrongness of it.  now, I was a kid who was pretty much a rule follower,
because i didn't have the opportunity to get into much trouble at Harry's
age.  And I didn't want my dad to yell at me, because I wanted his approval
so much.  But Harry doesn't have anyone like that anymore.  i don't think he
is jaded or unaware of right and wrong.  Neither do I think he has an
indifferent attitude to right and wrong, just to detention, which is
completely different.  ever seen the movie, THE BREAKFAST CLUB?  The kids in
that movie, had a rather indifferent attitude to detention too!
overall, i think Harry's attitude, especially in the last detention is
pretty understandable because of the situation and the one giving the
detention.  it doesn't necessarily mean that he doesn't care about the
horrible thing he did to get the detention, only that he has no respect for
the person giving it.  any time Snape punishes Harry, we're going to have
that attitude.  Thankfully, we won't have any more of it in the last book.

Sherry