Choice and Essentialism (was:Re: Understanding Snape)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 153907

> >>Alla:
> In JKR's world choices show what we are, not make us what we are, so 
> if Snape is not as good as he seems :), it would go in perfect 
> accordance with his choices showing what kind of person he ALREADY   
> is.
> JMO,
> Alla, who always thought that JKR's characters are essentialistic in 
> very large part ( they do have some room to change IMO, but          
> everybody in JKR's world have a huge part of them, who they are)

Betsy Hp:
I disagree. <g>  I don't think JKR has drawn up a largely 
essentialistic world.  If that were the case I don't think we'd have 
long discussions under the Sorting Hat.  There wouldn't be the option 
of picking a way to go.  The path would already be set.

Here's the text under discussion:
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than 
our abilities." [SS paperback p.333]

I don't think Dumbledore was trying to say that people are who they 
are, and we can merely discover their true character by looking at 
their choices.  That would suggest that the choices weren't real.  The 
essence of someone's personality wouldn't allow the luxury of choice.  
And Dumbledore does seem to feel that there were opportunities that 
Tom Riddle missed, bad choices made.  Which suggests that Dumbledore 
felt Tom did have a chance to *choose* a different path.

IOWs, *choice* is important.  It's not merely a clue into someone's 
character (though it *is* that, of course).  But, most importantly, 
it's an opportunity for a character to decide who they are.  That's 
why we have the evil side (Voldemort) trying to take away a person's 
ability to choose, and it's why we have the good side (Dumbledore) 
giving as much opportunity as possible for a person to make a free 
choice.

Betsy Hp (writing tired, don't try this at home... wait, I *am* at 
home... oh dear)