[HPforGrownups] Dumbledore, decisions, and guilt

[Scarah]

No: HPFGUIDX 163436

Lupinlore:
> Yes, but here we get into the problem of what message is being sent.
> Frankly, I don't think JKR wants the characters, particularly DD,
> criticized in this way.  I suspect she is still firmly wedded to
> her "epitome of goodness" characterization -- which raises all kinds
> of complications.  You, Alla, had said you wondered if JKR would
> still make the same statement now as she did in her interview earlier
> in the series, and have said you would be disappointed if she did.
> So would I, obviously, but I rather suspect that is exactly what she
> would do.

Sarah:
I don't know.  The context of that "epitome of goodness" interview is
that she's been asked whether she likes writing the evil characters
more, because Voldemort is pretty bad.  She replied that she likes
writing Dumbledore even though he's the EoG.  I always read this as
her speaking very relatively to make that contrast as relates to her
enjoyment of the writing, not in terms of how we are supposed to feel
about the characters.  Also, she had to be careful about sparking ESE
Dumbledore ideas.  These days, she speaks more freely about his
faults.

I personally don't have the greatest opinion of Dumbledore, or any of
the other adults.  They've all got issues.  (In fact, you could
replace 'adults' with 'characters,' heh.)  But that's one thing that I
think makes the books interesting.  Everyone's got problems.  I also
think that it's mechanically necessary.  It's a common thread of
boarding school fiction and most YA fantasy, and even shows like
Beavis and Butthead, that the adults have to either be stupid,
irresponsible, unapproachable, just plain mean, or absent.  Or some
combination thereof.  If all the young protagonists had a reasonable
number of responsible and nice adults around, providing an adequate
amount of supervision, it would be difficult for them to be able to
have wacky adventures.  If Dumbledore had behaved in a way we would
find beyond any reproach, there wouldn't be a story.

Sarah