A Sense of Betrayal / Unforgiveables

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 174247

CJ wrote:
I think she has also tried to make that point in several of her
interviews. She has specifically discussed Harry's use of the 
Cruciatus in the Ravenclaw commons room in terms of wanting to show 
that Harry was no saint. I'll accept that much, while arguing that I 
think she botched the job. In order to show that Harry is no saint, 
she has to show him performing a morally reprehensible act. But she 
doesn't make clear that his use of the Cruciatus in that case WAS 
reprehensible. Certainly, the reaction of McGonagall (calling 
it "gallant" of all things, immediately followed by an equally 
casual UC of her own!) doesn't help. And some reflection after the 
fact on the vileness (even if justified) of the act would have also 
gone a long way toward making her point. After all, as you've said, 
even good people do terrible things in war. But good people also 
agonize over it afterward. To my mind, the casualness with which the 
UCs are tossed about by the good guys works against the point JKR is
trying to make.

vmonte:
I agree with you. I was very upset with the way the "good guys" (and
without the slightest hesitation or thought about what they were
doing) used unforgivables. It made me extremely uncomfortable. I was
led to believe that those particular curses were unforgivable, and
that it took a certain type of person to cast them.

I liked that Harry was unable to effectively curse Bellatrix in
OOTP. It made me like Harry that much more. To me it meant that
Harry was a good person. And then in DH we see Harry use them, and
in such an offhanded manner. Well, it just made me sick.

Besides the easy use of unforgivables, I really hated what Hermione
did to her parents. I found this act particularly shocking. And
it's freaking creepy the way it's casually mentioned in the book.
Aren't Hermione's actions worse than brainwashing? Isn't what she
did just another form of Imperio? Because Hermione is forcing her
will on her parents. What ever happened to doing what is right
instead of what is easy? Isn't it her parent's right to choose
whether to go in hiding or remain at home?

Morally the actions of the "good guys" in DH emulate Voldemort's
motto: "There is no right or wrong, only power." I guess to them
the end justifies the means, even if it is at a cost to their souls.