Right vs. Easy (Ron WAS: Re: DH reread CH 4-5)

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 186349

> Magpie:
> I think, for instance, that the importance of the cowardly choice is that it's cowardly not that it's easy. I can actually totally buy this reading if Dumbledore is just using "easy" as a synonym for "cowardly." Because cowardice etc. is definitely something the books focus on for me.

Zara:
Whereas for me the cardinal virtue of the Potterverse is courage, and its signal, most contemptible vice is cowardice, *because* choosing the hardships of right choices over easy ones, is something the brave are more likely to do.

> Magpie:
> I'm not going to say that's wrong or that these choices can't be framed that way. But for me I'd still be using that translation that you suggested above--if for these people 'easy' means 'cowardly' I can just translate the wrong word for the right one and that's the books I read and it all fits together.

Zara:
It's not just "these people", it is me too. That's what I understood the text to mean, without stopping myself to say "Oh gee, I must translate to make any sense of this".

Here is the famous phrase in context:

> GoF:
> "Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore, and his eyes lingered upon the Durmstrang students, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again - in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.

> "It is my belief- and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken - that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst.

> "Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

Zara:
I don't see where your definition of "easy" fits in the context of this speech. Albus does not speak of Voldemort offering people rewards and blandishments, he speaks of Voldemort "spreading discord and enmity". He warns of "dark times", "suffering", and families "torn asunder". And he finishes by asking people to remember Cedric (murdered by Voldemort) when they have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy. 

To me, it seemed apparent this speech was an exhortation to courage and resistance in the face of disunity and terror. Not, well, I'm still not clear on what you are suggesting Albus meant (or is it should have meant?) here. Choosing to stay out of the strife, or Peter's choice (betraying others to save oneself) are things I do not think it requires an abuse of language to describe as "easy", or certainly, *easier* than the alternatives (joining in a dangerous struggle against the murderous Voldemort, refusing in the face of threats to cooperate with same).