Moral code of HP books (was Being Good and Evil)

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 154583

 


Alla:

No, absolutely not. I do NOT judge Marietta based on how  much I 
dislike her, I judge her based on her ACTION, that is why it  matters 
to me  very much what kind of person receives the  punishment.

I would not as far as to say that Marietta is a completely  horrible 
person, she is too minor character for that, but I absolutely  think 
that her action is horrible. THUS because and ONLY because her  
action is horrible I think that she deserved everything she  got.



Julie:
Marietta's action is wrong, but does Hermione compounding one wrong
with another suddenly make it right? I realize that two negatives  make
a positive in mathematics, but I don't think it works that way in  ethics.
As the old saying goes, "two wrongs don't make a right." But the  moral
code of the HP books from all sides seems to be two wrongs DOES
make a right. If someone hexes you hex 'em back worse. If someone
betrays you, betray 'em back worse. So James and Snape hex each
other back and forth, Hermione brands Marietta for telling on the DA,
Lupin is willing to kill Peter for betraying the Potters, etc. 
 
In the HP world there are few wizards consistently taking the moral
high ground, except for Dumbledore. And JKR considers him the 
epitome of goodness. That's not because he's perfect (as he  isn't),
but because he never answers a wrong with another wrong, not
intentionally at least. (IMO)
 
If JKR has any moral message in these books, I really think it will
not be "an eye for an eye" but "do onto others as you would like them
to do onto you" (for those who see the influence of JKR's Christian 
upbringing). And I think that is something Harry will have to learn, 
and maybe Gryffindor in general, if the "good" side is to win and if
Hogwarts is to reunite it houses and survive.
 
Julie, who is not disputing that Marietta's betrayal should have been 
revealed, but not in such a nasty (evil) way


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