The Validity of Various Topics (was:Re: Sportsmanship in Harry Potter)

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 151845

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "horridporrid03" <horridporrid03 at ...> wrote:
>
> > >>Geoff:
> > <snip>
> > A little while ago, I commented on another thread that I was      
> > getting a trifle annoyed with the polarised stands being adopted   
> > by some members of the group. On the one hand, we seem to have a  
> > few contributors who are out to "get" Harry for everything and    
> > refuse to see anything admirable or constructive in his behaviour 
> > and on the other, those who cannot see him ever stepping out of    
> > line. I sometime wonder why the first group don't go off and start 
> > the IHHPFGU group (I hate Harry potter for Grown-ups). I think the 
> > working majority of us hopefully lie between the two.
> > <snip>
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> Since I have a sneaking suspicion you'd put me in that former 
> catagory, I'd like to defend my membership on this list.  I *do* 
> actually like Harry.  It is possible (believe it or not <g>) to like 
> the boy and still have problems with how he sees things or even with 
> how he's treated.
> 
> I think it's possible to like the books and see various ethical and 
> philosophical issues raised within the books that, yes, can lead to 
> some rather polarized positions.  In fact, I tend to like books that 
> raise such issues.
> 
> I personally think JKR is playing a bit of a sly game with Slytherin 
> and that they will be shown to not be the source of all that's wrong 
> in the WW.  In fact, I'd go further and say that the scapegoating of 
> Slytherin is a key to what is actually wrong in the WW.  So, in 
> putting forth such arguments I feel that I'm actually backing the 
> author.  Others, of course, disagree.  And that's perfectly fine, 
> IMO.
> 
> I do see some ways that JKR's philosophy is not my own.  I'm rather 
> afraid that she approves of the twins, for example.  But I don't 
> think that means that I can't share my views on the matter.  That's 
> what good books do.  They get you thinking.  And adults should be 
> able to share their various and even conflicting thoughts with each 
> other.  Without suggestions being made that they leave the club-
> house.  
> 
> Betsy Hp 
> 
> P.S. I'm not sure this was your point at all Geoff, so please don't 
> take this as a personal attack.  But this view has been raised 
> before, so I thought I'd take the time to respond to it.  Seriously, 
> I don't hate the books, and I don't hate Harry Potter.

Geoff:
My diatribe was directed at members who think that Harry is just 
completely useless and has only achieved results by riding on the 
back of better people. There are some members who take this line 
and bridle at any objections to their views and can be quite abrasive 
in their postings. In the Real World, Harry would be smacking their 
wrists as a bare minimum punishment.

I wasn't suggesting that they leave the clubhouse except that they 
seem unhappy and disorientated - oxygen starvation perhaps.....

The cut and thrust of swordplay on the group is usually quite 
exhilarating; what I do dislike is when somebody wields a damned 
great double-handed claymore instead of the regulation rapier......
:-)

'"I am  not joking, Mr.Weasley," he said, "though, now you mention 
it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag 
and a leprechaun who all go into a bar -"
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.
"Er - but maybe this is not the time... no..." said Dumbledore.'
(GOF "The Triwizard Tournament"  p.165 UK edition)