[HPforGrownups] Re: Responses to Marietta (was: Misc. responses, some quite old)

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 169226

> > What was truly disturbing to me was Harry's gleeful
> > reaction to seeing that Marietta was *still* 
> > disfigured in HBP. The parallel between her oozing
> > pustules and the type of atrocities that are 
> > regularly (and rightly) condemned by human rights 
> > organizations--such as facial branding or 
> > disfigurement with acid--is too close for me to 
> > think that JKR endorses Hermione's actions.
> 
> Pippin:
> Especially since there's such an obvious parallel 
> with Umbridge's scarring of Harry. Hermione certainly
> wasn't okay with the Ministry having that kind of 
> power! 
> 
> I admire Hermione's principles, her courage, and 
> her good intentions. I often admire her actions, but 
> not in this case. ..., she got carried away with her 
> cleverness and let her powers run away with her. 
> While I think Harry and Hermione already realize that 
> this is not something that only happens to "bad" 
> wizards, I think they have yet to realize that it 
> could happen to them.
> 
> Pippin
>

bboyminn:

Two parallel threads going on now about this subject.
I think to some extent I agree with both Carol and
Pippin.

First, I think those making a case against Hermione's
actions are grossly overstating themselves. Though 
that is actually very common, it's a way of highlighting
a point. But none the less, I think they are 
exaggerating the event.

However, I do agree that Hermione got carried away. I
think she was right to protect the group from traitors,
but I think she let the punishment go on a little too 
long. Though, I think she had plenty of things to
distract her in HBP.

Magpie:
What's being exaggerated, exactly? Because there's been canon provided for
exactly what people are saying is going on. 

Leaving aside the fact that Hermione's hex didn't "protect" the group from
anyone or anything (only punished the traitor after the fact) I think
saying she's just let the punishment go on "a little too long" is an
understatement--it's been over a year based on what we know now. I'm also
not sure what all these great distractions Hermione had are supposed to be
in HBP. She was worried Ron wouldn't make the Quidditch team? She was angry
he was snogging Lavender? She didn't know which guy to ask to the party to
make Ron jealous? These made it impossible for it ever to cross her mind
that oh yeah, that girl from last year is still walking around with
pustules on her face? 

Steve:
Also, the series isn't over yet, Marietta's 
'disfigurement' is only permanent if Hermione continues
to let it go on. Personally, I feel that in the next 
book, friend and not-so-friend alike must band together
against Voldemort. In this stead, Hermione will realize
that in the fight against Voldemort, Marietta and her 
mother are their allies, and Hermione will lift the 
curse.

Magpie:
Not sure why you put 'disfigurement' in quotes when she is disfigured. It
also seems a little disingenuous to essentially say we can't say it's
permanent because we can't yet say that Hermione won't undo it. If she does
undo it then sure it will only have been a long punishment and not a
permanent one, but given the author's making sure to remind us it's still
there a book later it seems implied that it's permanent unless something
intervenes, much like Harry's own scars. I'm already surprised that
Hermione can live with herself, personally. What keeps her going on this
punishment, I wonder?

Steve:
So, Marietta suffers a little, but it's not like she was
beat with an ugly stick. She has acne that is exacerbated
by the fact that it has taken on a clear and specific 
shape. But it doesn't stop her from functioning. She isn't
in any way crippled, just embarrassed as she should be. 
She'll get over it. She will especially get over it when
(as I predict) Hermione realizes that NOW they are all 
allies and lifts the curse. 

Magpie:
So ias long as she can continue to function her suffering should be
dismissed as "a little?" (So much for all Harry's suffering, then.) 

I wouldn't dismiss the suffering somebody goes through when they have
regular acne, particularly disfiguring acne. It certainly does, imo, equate
to being "hit with an ugly stick"--and the students in canon agree, imo,
which is why Eloise Midgen is trying to hex hers off and it's the main
thing we know about the character. Marietta, as Carol quoted, has been
"horribly disfigured by a series of close-set purpustules that had spread
across her nose and cheeks."

Yes she's embarassed--embarassment can be painful. Why is Hermione
inflicting it on someone every day? Marietta's not supposed to just "get
over it." She's supposed to be humiliated and stared at and repulsive to
others. 

Steve:
So, my main point is, don't lock yourself into a judgment
when the story hasn't fully played out. Let's see what
Hermione does next before we condemn her.

Magpie:
If Hermione lifts the curse in the next book I will certainly change my
judgment from her being a person cruel enough to to disfigure someone for a
lifetime to someone cruel enough to disfigure someone for a couple of
years. She's already crossed a line of cruelty for me in this situation. 

Of course I hope this will be addressed as well. It reminds me of the
Vanishing Cabinet. I found the reactions to that by the Gryffindors creepy
as well and hoped it was being alluded to so often because it would come up
later and it did--"he could have died" Draco throws in while telling the
Slytherin version of the story, sounding a lot like Snape. That's one of
the main things I hope comes out in book VII--not just that Hermione will
just "realize they're allies" and so take away the hex to get what she
wants, but that there might be something said about some of the attitudes
towards other people in the books. 

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