Moody's death (was: Dumbledore's authority WAS: Re: Fees for Harry)

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 179485

> > lizzyben:
> > 
> > And constrast this with what Kingsley Shacklebot said in 
DH: "Every 
> > human life is worth the same, and worth saving." <snip>
> 
> Magpie:
> Or else it's a contrast between what the books say and what they 
do. 
> Certain speeches sound good being spoken and in certain contexts, 
but 
> that doesn't mean they are intended to contradict Dumbledore. I 
don't 
> remember the contexts for those two lines, but I feel like 
Kingsley 
> was talking about saving Muggles, which is a chance to make a 
point 
> about the good guys being not cruelly anti-Muggle like Voldemort 
> (though they certain never consider them equals) and Snape 
ruefully 
> referencing his own dark past. I'm not sure the author might not 
> consider both those statements as supporting Dumbledore's choices 
> overall. It doesn't work for me, but I'm not sure they're 
> intentionally supposed to be saying Dumbledore was wrong or 
treating 
> people as expendable.
> 
> -m
>

lizzyben:

Well, I'm pretty sure we're meant to see DD as wrong (though 
probably not EVIL). Kingley's & Snape's statements are reinforced by 
Harry the hero's own actions. Harry doesn't sacrifice people 
for "the greater good", or see people as expendeble. Instead, he has 
a "saving people thing" - saving people even when it could risk his 
own mission. He saves the muggle-borns, Draco, etc. when it's not 
necessary for the overall mission. So, Harry's own philosophy comes 
much closer to that ideal espoused by Shacklebot. And Snape also 
comes closer to that ideal when he tries to save Lupin, though 
saving that life could risk his cover. Or protecting Harry, even 
though he doesn't even like the kid. Because every human life is 
valuable.

So, in contrast to all that, are we supposed to look at DD's 
illogical "Seven Potters" plan, his "sacrificial lamb plan," 
his "chase-the-Hallows,no-don't" plan, his description as 
the "master of secrets & lies" and think that this guy has the right 
idea? IMO no. (At least, I hope not!) Harry forgives him, but we 
don't have to. I don't think we're meant to see DD as an "epitome of 
goodness", or believe that his strategies were always appropriate or 
necessary. 

So I'm not sure if the echoes between Shacklebot & Snape are 
intentional, but they're there. And the contrast between DD's own 
Utilitarian philosophy is stark. This novel is a moral mess, but 
every so often a good message sneaks through inadvertantly. 


lizzyben