The Statute of Secrecy

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 158910

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at ...> wrote:
> Carol responds:
> I quite agree, but my point is that she has to have *some* explanation
> for Muggles, both characters and readers, to be unaware of magic. And
> since the denial of magic isn't really sufficient or believable, she
> needs something else, within the WW itself, a reason for the WW to
> keep itself hidden from Muggle eyes. And the Statute of Secrecy,
> whatever its flaws as a plot device and whatever its unfortunate
> effects on well-meaning characters like Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley, is
> that reason.
<snip> 
> Carol, wondering whether JKR knew what she was getting into when she
> invented the Statute of Secrecy
>

Pippin
I think those "unfortunate effects" are intentional. The conflict between 
personal ethics and social mores is a major theme in the story, and
is poised to be the motive for a secret villain, as well.

If  Dumbledore is not arbitrarily blind to certain evils,
as Snape and Lupin claim, then  to be the epitome of goodness
he must have some ethical principles by which he determines 
which evils he must tolerate and which must be challenged. 

Specifically, I believe Dumbledore is a Fabian, and thinks
that meaningful progress towards social change can only be 
obtained by peaceful means. Several members of the Order
have names associated with the RL Fabian Society.

Though as a chivalrous Gryffindor he must believe that
the strong should protect the weak, and as a liberal he
must believe that a free and informed society is the most
moral, it is also part of chivalry to  honor one's
agreements, and as he says to Tom, those who enter
the wizarding world agree to be bound by its laws. 

Dumbledore knows that some of those laws are unjust and
many of them are unfairly administered. But as a Fabian he
would seek to change this through lawful, non-violent 
means. I believe he makes exceptions only when it falls
to him to prevent immediate harm to innocent lives. 

Mrs. Cole is not going to be irreparably damaged by
viewing an enchanted piece of paper, nor by believing
that Dumbledore's business with Tom is legitimate
(as indeed it is.) 
 
Pippin