On lying and cheating

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 165280


Bart:
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.

Julie:
Speaking of Harry, isn't it interesting that we rarely use how
Harry judges *himself* as a barometer for his intents and actions?
When Harry blames Snape for getting Sirius killed, he knows he is
being unreasonable--he thinks just this to himself. When Harry 
uses Sectumsempra on Draco he is immediately filled with guilt 
and remorse. He knows he lost control and his intent to cause
some minor bodily harm resulted in a nearly fatal attack. And
when Harry uses the HBP Potions book he knows he's taking credit
for work that is not his own, rather than acknowledging that he
is borrowing from another persons work. And he knows it is if
not against the rules, certainly it's doesn't speak well of his
integrity in this instance.
 
Harry *knows* when he's being less than noble. He knows when
he's lying, or cheating, or placing unfair blame. He never fails
to acknowledge it, at least in his own mind. He's still young, of
course, so sometimes he does the wrong thing anyway for what it
will gain him (which rarely has had ANYTHING to do with fighting
a war, BTW). 
 
In all this debating back and forth, I can't think of anyone more
qualified to judge Harry's behavior than Harry himself, since he
does a very good job of it! And I do find it comforting that 
Harry always knows the difference between right and wrong--or 
right versus easy--since I think that this may play a large role
in his ability to defeat Voldemort--for instance, if he must see
Snape more clearly, and acknowledge his own misjudgments, during
the course of this battle. (This is the one of the things Snape
seems incapable of, which may be why he can't defeat Voldemort).
 
Harry may fool some people when he wants to, but ultimately he's
not able to fool himself.
 
Julie 
 
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