Likeable Regulus.

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 178053

> Mike:
> My thinking is that, though Regulus was a follower of Voldemort, 
it 
> was him parroting his parents views that led him to become a DE. 
> Further, I perceive that Regulus was enamored with the idea of 
> royalty, of being in charge more than belief in the pureblood 
dogma. 
> I see that as a much more likely idea for a 16-year-old to latch 
> onto, than the more nebulous pureblood fanaticism that has no 
obvious 
> benefits to one of his age.
> 
> Does that make him a better person, if my postulation is correct? 
In 
> my mind, yes. Beleiving your parents, parroting their ideals is 
not 
> admirable in and of itself. But thinking yourself special is much 
> less distasteful than espousing bigoted pulchitrude. 

Magpie:
So, wait. Regulus was another one of those DEs who actually wasn't 
being racist by joining the DEs even though that seems to be the 
most obvious belief they espouse? Does this apply to Draco to? 
Because they seem exactly the same to me. Being attracted to the DEs 
is being attracted to evil even if the primary attraction isn't 
wiping out Muggle-borns--although though Pureblood superiority seems 
to be exactly the beliefs that Draco and Regulus got from their 
parents that sent them to the DEs to be "right little heroes." 
That's how they're special. Espousing bigoted pulchitrude is a way 
of thinking youself special.

I think Regulus is pretty much absolved in the end too--he made the 
greatest sacrifice he could to bring Voldemort down. But I still 
agree with Adam's point as I understand it. I still consider him a 
DE who did something brave when something he loved was threatened--
whether this led to a change of heart and seeing that his other 
beliefs had been truly wrong and that he had *therefore been evil 
for espousing them to begin with* I don't feel confident in saying 
at all. I think Regulus was always brave--he joined the DE to help 
the holy cause of putting Purebloods in charge or everyone else and 
getting rid of Muggle-borns. It's possible he rejected those beliefs 
along with Voldemort. It's also possible he didn't.

-m