Ron WAS: Re: DH reread CH 4-5

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 186330

Carol:
The question is, do we see the theme or motif or whatever you want to call it of "right vs. easy" on a larger scale? I think we see it in Harry's choice to face Voldemort and seemingly certain death unarmed. We also see it, perhaps less clearly, in the choices Snape makes in HBP and DH, starting with the "easy" and wrong choice of becoming a Death Eater and the right but difficult choice of going to Dumbledore and spying for him and culminating in the "murder" of Dumbledore on the tower and its consequences. 

Magpie:
I feel like these are more things that we have to talk into "right vs. easy" without that really being what they're about, because these characters are already too bound up in events to have an easy way out. Like Harry pretty much believes this is what he has to do to defeat Voldemort. And Snape became a Death Eater more because of emotional reasons than because it was easy--it's not an easy life. I would more describe it as giving in to his darker impulses and bitterness. Same with the UV. It was a hard thing to do, to be sure, but it was already bound up in things that were important to him. He was in no matter what, and he had a personal stake in defeating Voldemort, doing what Dumbledore said, etc. Also I'd say that cowardice is far more highlighted as a danger than taking the easy way.

> > Magpie:
> > But if in the story we're not seeing anything come of it when the time comes and people choose easy over right, it's really not getting played out in any dramatic way. Choosing one over the other is never set up as something they have to do to succeed. Other things they do have to do to succeed. <snip>
> 
> Carol responds:
> I had to read that last sentence twice to understand it! Just out of curiosity, what are those "other things" that (in your view) the characters have to do to succeed?

Magpie:
Heh. It was a weird sentence--sorry. As to what people have to do to succeed I see them having to be brave, and loyal to their friends, to fight for what's good and to protect the innocent (even at the risk of your own death). So, for instance, when Harry goes to save Sirius he has been tricked, but it was his better nature that was tricked. 

> > Magpie:
> > Nobody said anything about Harry having to feel those things. Harry doesn't feel any sort of remorse for several actions some might consider wrong. And sometimes he feels a twinge of remorse but never has to do anything about it. It's just not a big issue in the books.
> 
> Carol responds:
> I find it interesting that Harry often feels remorse for, say, leading his friends into danger, but ends up doing the same thing again. As you say, the feeling never seems to last or is undermined and nipped in the bud by something else. For example, he regrets using Sectumsempra on Draco and nearly causing him to bleed to death, but his remorse is cut short (sad to say) by Snape's detention, which refocuses his thoughts toward the ostensible unfairness of making him miss Quidditch and what he regards as the petty vindictiveness of Snape's chosen punishment. (Detentions aren't supposed to be enjoyable, Harry!) Remorse is displaced by resentment. I can't tell whether JKR is intentionally leading Harry from regret for his actions or not, but, certainly, self-examination is not one of Harry's strengths. 

Magpie:
The same thing happens after Harry beats up Malfoy on the Quidditch pitch. Obviously it's not on the same level as what happens with Sectumsempra, but it's a very similar development. Harry does do something he shouldn't do, however much Malfoy goaded him. And McGonagall starts out saying just that. But then Umbridge comes in with her over-the-top punishment and by the end of the day Harry is completely focused on his resentment of his punishment. He's become the innocent victim in the situation. Umbridge was out to get him just like Snape was. Defiance in detention becomes a point of honor.

Carol:
It's only after he enters the Pensieve and sees Snape's memories that his perspective seems to change. That experience leads simultaneously to empathy and self-sacrifice and ultimately (along with King's Cross) to forgiveness of those who have wronged him (as he's already forgiven Ron).

Magpie:
Harry does let go of his anger and bitterness at people who wronged him--I think that's another quality that's highlighted as something you need to do. He doesn't have to seek forgiveness for people he has wronged, because he's never really wronged people significantly enough to seek forgiveness. 

 
> Carol responds:
> I agree that this instance is much more complicated than a simple choice of "right vs. easy." For Ron, facing Horcrux!Tom, who expresses  and embodies all the secret fears and jealousies that Ron has been harboring and the Horcrux has been nurturing, it's a chance to recognize and conquer the doubts and fears that have been coming between him and the two people he loves best.

Magpie:
Yes, there's a lot at stake for Ron in destroying the Horcrux. It also gives him a way to make up for leaving. In Gof, after Ron and Harry fight, Harry notices Ron doing things for him after they make up, obviously trying to make up for his past behavior. Even without the chance to be the conquerer and deal with his own issues, Ron would not want to let Harry down again after deserting him. 

-m