Philosophy of Dumbledore (was:Moody's death...)

[Pippin]

No: HPFGUIDX 179568

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Carol" <justcarol67 at ...> wrote:
> Carol, who thinks that Harry's choice of Gryffindor does not in 
itself
> mark him as good and that only in DH is he cured of his worst trait,
> the desire for revenge

Allow me to state my previous thought another way. No one in this 
world of JKR gets to be marked good or evil from any decision. It 
appears to be the author's intention to convey that people (wizards, 
muggles, all) are neither good nor evil, but each choice is good or 
evil (or neither). I would also guess that JKR also finds thoughts and 
desires (such as desire for revenge) unimportant. Actions--choices--
are the key indicators of character.

As just one example, I can't think of Narcissa as an evil witch. She 
kept Harry alive, and she chose protection of Draco over aiding 
Voldemort. Nor does she become a good witch by those actions. Of 
course, trends do lead us to expectations, but fortunately for these 
books, expectations lead to some surprises, conflicts, and 
contradictions, just like we see in real people.

Pippin Fowler