[HPforGrownups] On lying and cheating

[Ronin_47]

No: HPFGUIDX 165269

--Bart Wrote--
>>>Even if Harry didn't break a single rule, he cheated the most important
person of all: himself. In return for some praise from a teacher, he gave up
a learning opportunity. It is clear that the NEWT level Potions is about
learning theory and applying it. All Harry learned was some superior
applications, which made it unecessary for him to learn the theory.
 <<<
 
 
--Ronin's Comments--
This remains to be seen. 
It doesn't look to me that Harry has learned any less than he did while
preparing for his OWLs. He already knew what a bezoar was and learned a new
application for it, sure. But, he still attended the class as scheduled and
did his assignments. We really can not determine what he has and has not
learned during the course of the school year based on what we are given as
canon. We are shown glimpses of what he has done in class throughout the
year and only enough to drive the story. We have no idea what he learned or
did not learn or how hard he studied or where or who he studied with. This
is all just speculation, as much as we know what is included on the NEWTs
exam for that matter. We really don't even know what amount GTL will have on
the NEWTs. It may be a single question on the exam.
 
There seems to be a theory portion of the exam and a practical exam which we
see during OWLs. (Assuming, which is all we can do at this point, that NEWTs
are similar in this manner, we don't know if the theory portion is worth
more or less than the practical portion in final grading)  Based on the
information given in canon about the reasons for forming the DA, practical,
hands on knowledge is more important to Harry than theory. So that may also
be a contributing factor into why he uses the notes from the book.
 
But again, the notes didn't make the potions themselves. Harry still had to
have some knowledge and actually combine the ingredients for the result. I
think Harry learned as much as anyone from the textbook (aside from Hermione
of course) and has the added bonus of learning these little tips and tricks
as well. Like crushing certain ingredients rather than cutting them provides
more juice. He didn't have to concentrate too much to figure that one out
because it's written right in the book. But this is theory he can apply to
other things later on. He also spent a lot of his off time reading through
the book and this was rare for Harry to be reading any book when it wasn't
required. Who's to say he didn't realize something he never would have
guessed at before or that something he read in the notes didn't help tie
everything together? Even if it hasn't helped YET, he may think back to
something in the notes later and it may sink in for him then.
 
Many of us seem to have differing opinions of Harry's intentions and what he
has actually learned from the Prince. But none of this can really be proven
or disproved beyond reasonable doubt by canon. We will have to wait and see
what is revealed in DH. Until then, this is all opinion and conjecture. 
I believe that Harry will return to Hogwarts and pass his NEWTs. This is
what I think and hope. I don't see Harry as anymore of a liar or cheater
than anyone else in the books for using the Prince's notes to help him
through potions.
 
Cheers,
Ronin




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]