[HPforGrownups] Unforgivables - from a different angle

[Maeg]

No: HPFGUIDX 174376


On Aug 3, 2007, at 12:02 AM, Mike wrote:

> I have never bought into the commonly held precept that the
> unforgivables are morally wrong. These 3 curses are simply tools,
> they can be used for good or evil depending on the circumstances, and
> the intent of the caster. Murder is unforgivable, not the Avada
> Kedavra. Torture is unforgivable, not the Crutiatus Curse. Mind
> enslavement is unforgivable, not the Imperious Curse.

So why does the WW call them the "Unforgivable" Curses? Why not just  
call them the "Illegal" Curses? JKR chose that word, and I don't  
think it was chosen lightly. If it was just about the law, then why  
bring a highly charged, emotional word like "unforgivable" into it?  
Harry's casual use of Unforgivables in DH is a serious contradiction  
and a flaw in the construction of the book. It's not a red herring,  
it's not JKR being clever; she decided to show the reader that Harry  
is now a fully mature wizard by having him successfully use UCs --  
but forgot that she gave him a conscience in the earlier books.

Maeg, who finds this particularly sad considering JKR's personal  
statements in support of Amnesty International -- a group "focused on  
preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and  
mental integrity."