Resolutions/ Draco/Are we being too critical?

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 183494

Jen:
> In the end though, I agree the story wasn't about redemption as much 
> as it was about truth & lies, and how characters acted in the face of 
> a truth previously hidden to them.  For Regulus, Snape & the Malfoys 
> (Narcissa mainly), when the truth was revealed they chose to betray 
> Voldemort.  In that way JKR delivered on her theme of choice, how 
> one's actions can make all the difference.

Montavilla47:
That's a very good reading, Jen.  

 
> Montavilla:
> > But, I don't think JKR was headed there at all.  And, instead of
> > getting better, almost all the characters got considerably worse. 
> > James, Sirius, Lily, and Lupin all became less impressive by the
> > end of the book.  Dumbledore went from being beloved mentor to
> > looking as manipulative and arrogant as Voldemort.
> 
> Jen: JKR sacrifices her adult characters for the children.  Her 
> chosen epigraph announced the trend would continue: "Bless the 
> children, give them triumph now." (Aeschylus)  It's why I expected 
> something different with Draco's story & the younger generation of 
> students, that they would heal the rifts started during Voldemort's 
> first rise to power.  Instead JKR was primarily interested in only 
> three children, how the Trio would save the day, and all the other 
> characters were shuffled off-stage and shuffled back on when the Trio 
> needed help at a critical moment.

Montavilla47:
Another good reading.  But, although I like the term "sacrifice," I don't
see why it's necesssary to tear down one character to build up another.
But, then, it's all of a piece with the shuffling off and on-stage of the
supporting characters.

We could read that epilogue as Harry's generation slowly healing the 
rifts--with the rifts still being there.  Slytherin is still bad, but not
*so* bad that you would disown your son if he were sorted into it--
although, maybe Ron over there would.

Draco isn't good enough to talk to or shake hands with, but it's 
all right if he wants to nod at you from a distance.  And he's balding,
so there's a bit of Karmic justice still going on and wake-up call
for the fangirls who like his blonde hair.

And there were moments given to the Harry generation.  Luna,
Seamus, and Ernie even get to rescue the Trio from the Dementors.
That's considerably more than they got to do the rest of the year.
(Except Luna and her mighty nail!)

I guess this is a place where I just don't like the direction JKR
took.  I fully admit that that's my problem and not hers.

Montavilla47