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

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 179947

> >>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.
> > <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?
> <snip>
> 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.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Specially stupid. <rbg>  I don't admire Harry for his decision to not 
kill.  I felt it was pasted on morality that only worked because the 
author was on his side.  There was no honest examination of Harry's 
decision, IMO, because Harry was never put into a position where his 
deciding not to kill would lead to another's death.  So you have this 
kid (this incredibly not bright kid, at that) deciding to take on an 
evil wizard and he's tied both hands behind his back.  (And also his 
legs, but we're not talking about Harry's inability to play well with 
others. <g>)

> >>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:
And I did. <g>  School wasn't a refuge for Harry or the muggle-born 
Hermione.  Ron's family wasn't going to be safe in a Voldemort run 
world either.  Harry's hunt for the hallows was a purely selfish 
desire to better understand a dead guy who'd meant a lot to him.  And 
his hunt for the horcruxes, while a benefit to his world, also helped 
him seek vengence on the guy who killed his parents.  (Hmm, I will 
say Dumbledore did a bit of a mind-whammy on Harry and confused him 
about the hallows.  Harry may have thought his hunt for them would 
also bring about Voldemort's downfall.  But still, that's to Harry's 
benefit.)

I'm not saying that what benefited the Trio didn't also benefit their 
world.  But I am saying I didn't seem them do things for others that 
they did not see a gain in it for them as well. 

> >>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.
> <snip>
> 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.

Betsy Hp:
I honestly do think that as characters, Felix and Mildmay are more 
real than the Trio.  But I also think they're just plain old better 
people.  They live in a harsher world, but despite that, they've 
shown more kindness, selflessness and compassion than I've seen out 
of Harry, certainly Hermione, and even Ron.

Betsy Hp