Ron, Hermione, and the hearts of house-elves (Was: Andromeda as good Slytherin)

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 177666

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Carol" <justcarol67 at ...> wrote:
>
> Montavilla47 wrote:
> > <snip>
> > Here's the part where I have a problem, because I *don't* see any
> change of heart here.  The Ron who thinks about warning the
> House-Elves about the battle doesn't seem any different than the Ron
> who exposes Hermione's booby-hats in the common room so that the elves
> will have a choice about whether or not they want to become free.
> > 
> > So, that moment all the culmination of the S.P.E.W. subplot fell
> flat for me.  Even if it did have the big sloppy kiss that every
> Ron/Hermione shipper had been waiting for for seven books.
> 
> Carol responds:
> 
> the moment fell flat for me, too, but not for that reason. It seemed
> like an excuse for them to kiss (as opposed to hugging and holding
> hands, as they'd been doing throughout the book).
> 
> I agree that Ron's view of house-elves doesn't seem significantly
> different in that he's not advocating freedom for house-elves. He is,
> however, concerned for "Elfish Welfare," and that, for me, seems to be
> the reason that Hermione kisses him.
> 
> Here's where we disagree, and I doubt that I'll convince you because
> it's a matter of opinion or preference rather than interpretation of
> the text. I think that Ron is right and Hermione is wrong.

Montavilla47:
I agree with you completely.  I also think that Ron is essentially right
in his position and Hermione is fundamentally wrong.

That's why I don't like the moment.  Hermione's acting like Ron
made some big change of heart, when he didn't.  He was *always*
concerned about Elfish welfare.  For example, he was concerned 
enough to fight Hermione when she wanted to force the elves into 
her idea of what was best for them.

Which makes a fascinating cross-over to that discussion about
the Karpman Drama Triangle over in the Lily/Snape thread.

Here we have Hermione trying to shoehorn the elves into a 
victim role so that she can rescue them.  Then, when Ron
lets her know that the elves don't need rescuing, she tries
to put him into the persecutor role.  

Which he isn't interested in playing, either.  Once again
proving that, insecurity issues and all, Ron is the 
poster child for Mental Health in the Potterverse world.

Maybe that's why  she drops the SPEW thing in HBP.  
No one will play with her.  Even Draco, who is usually good 
for a round of prosecuter/victim, is too wrapped up with other 
stuff to play.

Montavilla47