Ron WAS: Re: DH reread CH 4-5

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 186279

> Montavilla47:
> <HUGE SNIP>
> But, with Ron, it was as though the character kept trying to develop, only to be
> pulled back two steps every time he did. Consequently, it's impossible (for me,
> at
> least) to believe that Ron will ever get over being insecure or that Hermione is
> ever
> going to be anything but undermining, even if she does occasionally kiss him on
> the lips. And honestly, maybe I'm not supposed to, since in the epilogue, he's
> still
> failing his driving test and scared to let Hermione know about it.
> 
> Alla:
> 
> I have zero problems with Ron's character doing one step forward and two step back, really. While I hear you about Neville's character development being more satisfying artistically, I had never been a fan of the idea that character's development should be tied up in a neat little bow and resolved, otherwise it is not satisfying. I know that you did not say that, I am just thinking about the implications for me of what you written, you know?
> 

Montavilla47:
Yeah, I'm not satisfied with Ron's portrayal in the books.  But I agree that a 
character that goes one step forward and step back can work just fine.  I can't 
think of a really good example at the moment, but I'm sure there's one out there.

I guess the thing is that I felt through the series that I was expected to keep 
cheering every time Ron made these type of breakthroughs (starting with him 
winning the 50 points in book 1), only to have those breakthroughs have no 
positive effect on him.  Because he kept going two steps back, he ended up seeing 
less mature at the end of the series than he did at the beginning.  I really *liked* 
that kid back in PS/SS who dreamed about being Head Boy and Quidditch Captain.  
Where did that kid go?


Alla:
> I LIKE the idea that maybe Ron will never be completely secure in a sense, just learns to deal with it.  And sometimes he does not.  To me it seemed perfect – the driving test thing. I just wish that she did not choose the setback to be of him to abandon his two best friends in the life or death situation. For some people maybe Ron's comeback for that reasons was all the sweeter, for me it was like, eh, haven't you passed that stage Ron?

Montavilla47:
Yes.  I felt the same way, except that I was pretty tired of the camping too, by
that point.  I wanted to go with Ron.