How do the books affect children? (was: Why down on all the characters?)

[stephab67]

No: HPFGUIDX 179769

a_svirnwrote:
Ron is drawn to the "cool" and famous, there is nothing inherently
wrong with that. He has lots of likable qualities to make up for it.

Steph:
Again, Ron thought that the twins were pulling his leg about who Harry
was and just wanted to confirm it. He didn't know for sure that Harry
was indeed Harry until Ron asked him directly.  I think he did think
it was cool that Harry survived Voldie's AK, but I don't think that he
wanted to be friends with Harry just because he was famous.  I just
don't see Ron as being that calculating.  

a_svirn:
Ron hasted to claim a seat into the same carriage with Harry under the
pretext that everywhere else is full.

Steph:
There's nothing in SS to support your statement that Ron had the pick
of compartments but chose to sit with Harry because he wanted to make
friends with the famous kid.  We do know that the Weasleys were the
last to get on the train which means it probably was the only place
left for Ron to sit.  We've seen in later books that if you don't get
on the train early it's hard to find a compartment that's not already
full.  The trio has to share a compartment with Lupin in PoA, and with
Luna in OotP.     

a_svirn:
Not at all. His jealousy was on account of Harry's fame. That's what
Hermione says in GoF...

Steph:
Harry's name getting pulled out of the goblet is the only occasion
where Ron is jealous of Harry's fame, and he quickly gets over it. 
Hermione never says that Harry is *always* jealous of Harry; she says
that he's used to getting pushed aside by his brothers and by people
who just want to pay attention to Harry, he usually blows it off, but
this was just one time too many.  He doesn't stay jealous of Harry -
who could be friends with someone of whom you're continually jealous?
Nowhere else in any of the books does he have an issue with it.  His
true issue is feeling that Hermione would never want him when she
could have her pick of other people who he thinks are better than him,
it's not really about Harry at all.  Even when he left the camping
trip it was more because of his feelings about Hermione - all his
insecurities that Hermione wasn't going to choose him actually
appeared to be true, and of course he thought that Harry knew what he
was doing, that he had more direction from DD than he really did.

Hmmm.  I'm guessing this is why a lot of people thought Ron was going
to betray Harry to the DEs in DH.  I never thought he was, although I
was really angry with Ron when he left.  I thought he'd come back, but
didn't have any idea how.  I loved how JKR had him return, though, and
loved Hermione's response.