Lupin's passivity was Re: Father Figures

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 164790

> 
> Debbie:
>   This is one reason I can't buy Pippin's ESE!Lupin story; he's too
> passive a character to every make an affirmative decision to join the
> forces of evil.  And storywise, he doesn't need to, as his passivity
> has caused plenty of trouble as it is.  See -- I find his flaws very
> convincing as they are.  He exemplifies the evil that ensues when good
> people do nothing.
> 
> Carol:
> Here, I agree with you. But it's also interesting that he takes the
> lead in blaming Snape and finding reasons to think that he's evil
> after Harry presents his incomplete version of the events on the
> tower. 

Pippin:
Lupin was  a member of the original Order of the 
Phoenix. That is hardly an example of a good person 
doing nothing. There are many other examples in 
canon where Lupin takes the initiative, especially in
the Shrieking Shack and in his conversations in OOP.
And of course he claimed to have led his friends to
become animagi. I'm wary of explanations that are 
emotionally satisfying but are incompatible with 
the character's pattern of behavior, and Lupin's
supposed passivity is one of them.  

If Lupin has internalized the view of the WW that werewolves
are inherently evil, and is attempting to counter it by 
appearing to be passive and harmless, that is not really a
passive action. But if he did indeed internalize
that view, then he wouldn't need to "join the forces of
evil." He would think he had joined them already. And
that is the way Voldemort works. He doesn't bang on your
door and invite you to join the forces of evil. He joins
*you*.

Pippin