Whose side are we on

[katssirius]

No: HPFGUIDX 155966

Magpie:
I'm not on a side, I'm somebody reading a work of fiction. And even
if I
wasn't reading a work of fiction analyzing what people are doing
honestly is
not incompatible with being on their side.

If you'd rather just stop at Dursleys=bad, Twins=good that's fine,
but why
would that be a bad thing to discuss on a list for actually
analyzing the
books? I think my view of the books covers more of what the author is
writing, which is why I talk about them that way. It seems like what
you
consider "shredding the protagonists to death" I consider "talking
about the
protagonists" or "talking about the story the author has written." I
don't
feel the Twins or Hermione's position are threatened by talking
about what
they do.

Katssirius:
Hurrah for Magpie for putting it so well.  I too have found analysis
of the characters that shows them in less than a positive light
often leads to hostile responses.  I understand that children cannot
separate "I am suspicious of Hermione's motivation from my feelings
for the series", however we are adults. Aren't we?  The books would
not be as good if the characters did not have weaknesses.  All of
the characters, not just the bad guys.  In fact I think a weakness
of the series is JKR's lack of development of Voldemort as just a
psychopath.  Only psychopaths can relate to psychopaths.

I should be in bed, instead I am discussing HP. So of course I love
the books, but JKR has flaws and the characters, thank goodness,
have flaws, blind sides, prejudices, and are just sometimes wrong
while they are trying to do the right thing.  Just like the rest of
us.  Discussing it is part of the fun of the books and I would wager
more important than whether or not Snape's hairbrush is a horcrux.
Sadly we live in a world right now where everything is "You is
either with me or agin' me".  There is a huge and much more
interesting middle ground especially reserved for heroes.  I will
meet you there.
Katssirius