Nitwit? - Remus John Lupin

[kirp86]

No: HPFGUIDX 168017

Hi, hope I'm not intruding... I'm new to HPfGUs and wanted to add my 
2 cents.

Apologies if I end up repeating previous posts!

I'm afraid I'm biased in that Lupin is my favourite character. He 
reminds me, in his actions, of Harry; doing everything possible for 
his friends. This can be interpreted as weak-willed - feeling guilty 
over disobeying Dumbledore but doing it just to retain his friends, 
for example. But consider his background; he never had friends, he'd 
never been accepted before. Probably wishful thinking, but during his 
time at Hogwarts as DADA teacher, he didn't go against Dumbledore, he 
merely neglected to tell him that he had abused his trust years 
previously (trust he hadn't been given before that, and almost 
certainly hasn't since). Like Harry, I would say that Hogwarts was 
the one place that he felt at home, especially during that time where 
he believed two friends to be dead at the hands of the third. This 
shifted once Sirius was cleared, as of OofP his home was with Sirius. 
He is weak in that he has spent a lot of time doing things for and by 
himself, and when he doesn't have to, when he has his friends, he 
will do anything to keep them near. Once he had the Marauders Map, 
note that he was 'examining it in his office' when he saw Sirius drag 
Ron and Pettigrew into the Whomping Willow... Is it a leap to assume 
he has been keeping an eye on it through guilt about his secret extra 
knowledge about Hogwarts? I guess I'm arguing that he isn't overtly a 
hero, but he does what he can in his own way, his flaw being he needs 
to keep the trust of those around him. He is also brave... why else 
would he be in Gryffindor? 

I think he's the most tragic figure in the books; a lot of people 
will disagree, but his four best childhood friends are dead or 
betrayers, to borrow a nicer word than traitor ;). I did think the 
change was interesting following Sirius' death. His role for the OotP 
has not changed since book 5, but it is only in HBP that this is 
shown to be making him more tired. He describes himself as old in 
HBP, when JK's description of him in all the other books is that he 
is young despite appearances. Could this be a factor in him turning 
out to be betrayer? Possibly. He could also be an unwitting betrayer, 
although his appearance fighting for the OotP at hogwarts in the 
presence of Greyback is sure to be a factor. Could it be that Snape 
and Lupin are both keeping up appearances? Sure. I'd like to remind 
people of his grief following Dumbledore's death; he is the one that 
Harry observes taking in the news - example of his innocence or guilt?

I realise I'm going on a bit, I'm nearly done I promise!

Just wanted to touch on the discussion of his Boggart lessons. He has 
been criticised in this forum for making Neville take on the Boggart 
Snape; self-confidence is not something that can be taught, but it 
can be developed in situations such as this. Does he see his own lack 
of self-confidence in Neville, who has a small friendship group he 
would do anything for, but who is suffering at the hands of an old 
adversary? Also, where is the evidence that he deliberately stopped 
Hermione from taking on her Boggart? And as well as stopping the 
classes fearful reaction to Harry's boggart, was he also protecting 
his job, and his re-found home? 

Lastly, JK Rowling!! She has expounded throughout her books the idea 
of people not being what they seem, and that 'half-breeds' should not 
be judged by that. She has an evil werewolf in Greyback, would she 
put all her werewolves on the side of Voldemort (especially without 
Dumbledore to explain to Harry that Lupin is misguided, not evil). 
Equally, would she take Harry's last father figure and put him 
against his cause? Finally, could she turn a character she loves? I 
don't know what she would or wouldn't do, these really are just 
rhetorical questions, she has written these books with an inimitable 
style, and however she writes it I will learn to love it! It's her 
universe, after all!

Ok, sorry it's quite long, does any of this make sense? What do you 
think?

Apologies again if I've repeated or stepped on any previous argument.

Kirp86