Wands and Wizards...Again

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 183603

 
Carol wrote:

IMO,  it would have been much less cruel to young readers (who *do*
notice such  things and, in my experience, are shocked by them) to have
Harry regret his  actions than to force them to either reject their
hero as flawed or  rationalize his behavior by finding excuses for  it.



Julie:
I would add that even by having Harry regret his actions, this still leaves  
him 
a flawed hero, i.e. human. But proving himself more self-aware by  regretting
his wrong actions (not just the Crucio but the Sectumsempra  and the few 
other moments you mentioned) would *show* his growth as a human  being,
his maturation into a "better man" by the end of the series. And I believe  
that
*showing* makes a much greater impact on the reader, and makes for a  better
story, than expecting the reader just to *assume* Harry at some point off  the
page experienced regret over his wrong actions. For me and many other  
readers,
the Crucio scene would have been much improved (i.e., better written and  more
in character) if Harry had experienced at least momentary shock or regret  at
the ease with which he cast an Unforgivable that had no other purpose than  to
cause excruciating pain, and if McGonagall had shown even the slightest  hint
of dismay or disapproval at Harry's action. (And if the Unforgivables had  
been 
presented and explained in a more consistent manner.)
 
Julie, who still enjoys JKR's Harry Potter saga, but doesn't see the  problem 
with
pointing out the weaker areas of her writing, as no writer no matter how  
popular
or critically acclaimed is without weak areas (it's that being human thing  
again).
 
 



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