Ron WAS: Re: DH reread CH 4-5

[Miles]

No: HPFGUIDX 186289

>> Montavilla47:
> 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.

Miles:
I had the same unpleasant feeling about that scene in the epilogue. It 
reminded me why I always had a bad feeling about "shipping" Ron and 
Hermione. I'm quite sure that Rowling planned them coming together from the 
beginning, but since I do not like couples of that kind in real life (you 
know, one bossy partner, always planning for both, setting rules, making 
decisions, the other partner indulgent, only rarely taking a stand, but 
usually giving in), I do not like Hermione and Ron as a pair. By the way, am 
I the only one that sees a reflection of Molly and Arthur? And would it be 
unfair to think about how JKR's husband might be?

> Magpie:
> I think it's important to remember that pretty much everybody in this
> universe stays the same, at heart, though some people just need time
> to uncover who they were or wind up having to go down the wrong road
> to rediscover themselves.

Miles:
That's an opinion one can hear quite frequently, but I daresay it's not a 
unquestioned matter of fact that anyone should remember as a fact.

People are partly determined by their genes and early childhood life, but 
they are shaped by their life and their own decisions as well. What is more 
important is always and will always be a point of discussion between 
scientists, I doubt there will ever be a decision. We are talking a lot 
about religion lately - this sounds a bit like predestination vs free will. 
Did I mention I'm a Roman Catholic? ;)

Actually I do not like the idea that people exist in their essence from the 
beginning and life just unfolds who they are. It does not leave much room 
for changing oneself, for becoming a better person, for overcoming a bad 
start. I like to believe that every person has the chance to improve, at 
every point in his life. And I do not like the idea that people are born bad 
and have no chance to overcome this, however hard they try.

Let me ramble a bit to the end of the books, when Harry gives Voldemort one 
last chance to repent. We discussed whether this was just a sham offer, or 
if he really offered Tom his hand. While I really do not see any realistic 
chances for the Tom Riddle JKR described to take this hand, I think Harry 
has to offer him a way back - because he could for once make the right 
choice.

Miles