Sarah Monette(SPOILERS) and JKR WAS: Re: JKR's Opinion

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 179933

Betsy Hp:
<SNIP
Harry had options *other* than killing. That's why I think the fact
that Harry doesn't kill is something that sounds pretty while at
heart means little to nothing (ie weasel words). I've never killed.
But it's not something I'd point to as a remark on my character. I
live in a civilized nation at a civilized time where kill or be
killed has never been a question I've had to grapple with.

I'm not a pacifist. I don't look askance at either soldiers or
police who have had to kill. I'd like to think that if it came down
to it I *could* kill to protect myself and/or my own. But I
seriously doubt I'll ever have to find out. (And I'm quite grateful
for that.) <SNIP>

Alla:

But there is no maniac after you, right? I mean no evil overlord 
wants to kill you, etc? And you do not participate in battles where 
you have to fight for your life?

If there is nothing like that going on in your life, then yeah, I 
would not consider the fact that you never killed as something very 
special. I mean, I think it counts that you are  a normal person (to 
be clear, unless someone kills in self defense or someone is a 
soldier, or someone kills without meaning it - so called crime of 
passion, I do not consider those people to be normal), but nothing 
special sure.

But if you know that evil maniac and his gang are after you and you 
are fighting for your life AND for the life of WW, AND they are ready 
to kill you and you stun them instead, oh yeah, I consider it to be 
very special.

And the fact that you defend yourself instead of shooting of the 
killing curse against this maniac, yes to me it is special indeed.


Betsy Hp:
Felix and Mildmay live in a world that would eat Harry alive. <SNIP>

Alla:

I guess it is time to disagree for me.


Betsy Hp:
The Trio did nothing to help the captured Luna until they were
literally thrown in with her. It didn't even cross their minds,
IIRC.

Alla:

I thought it did cross their minds, but I have to check. I am pretty 
positive though, like 99% sure that while they run away from DE whom 
Luna's father sent on them, they made sure that DE saw Harry indeed, 
because they felt sorry for him. I am not sure this thought would 
have crossed my mind, frankly.

Betsy Hp:
 And of course, we saw their total lack of action with the
Ministry. 

Alla:

Huh? I thought they saved plenty people at the ministry.

Betsy Hp:
And with Snape for that matter. 

Alla:

I guess another time to disagree. I wish I could dig Zara's post, but 
I thought the fact that Harry did not leave meant that he did all he 
could and more for Snape.

Betsy Hp:
Or the suffering students
at Hogwarts. Or the underground movement (such as it was) in the WW.

Alla:

Without them finding horcruxes all students of Hogwarts AND WW will 
be doomed forever, so why does it not count?

Betsy Hp:
I think the Trio does what benefits them personally. And, fortunately,
what benefits them personally also benefits the WW.

Alla:

I guess what benefits the Trio is to drop out of school and to go on 
wild goose search for horcruxes and hallows. I guess what also 
benefits them is getting captured and tortured by DE and in the 
meantime almost killed by snake lady. Oh, and of course what benefits 
Ron and Hermione is to leave their families as well. Yeah, sorry, I 
do not see any personal benefits for Trio in anything they did in 
book 7.

Betsy Hp:
 But if it's
nothing to do with them, they don't get involved. Which is part of
the reason I don't care for them all that much. <g>

Alla:
The only reason I responded is because I wanted to disagree about 
Monette's characters being better people than Trio. I know you do not 
care for Trio, I am not trying to change your mind. I mean I cannot 
help but disagree with your interpretation of their actions, but as I 
said the only reason why I bothered is because of Monette's 
characters thing. But I am certainly thinking that Monette's 
characters for me in the same boat as Raskolnikov from the Crime and 
Punishment. I feel for him, I care for him as a character, but there 
is no way I would spare a second of my time in RL to a psycho who 
planned the killing of the old lady, even if he got awfully 
remorseful afterwards.

Trio on the other hand to me is ordinary kids thrown in extraordinary 
circumstances. As I said, I value friendship very much and I truly 
would be honored and proud to have friends like them, that's all.

Alla.