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

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 186357

> > Magpie:
> > So when Harry decides to take credit for the Prince's work or cheat on his divination homework or Ron decides to Confund the driving instructor, that doesn't at all seem more about "easy" than places where a character is choosing out of cowardice?
> 
> Zara:
> I am not saying that courage vs. cowardice is *exactly the same as* right vs. easy. I am saying that courage vs. cowardice is a prime *example* of right vs. easy (and likely the one Albus had in mind when he spoke the phrase).

Magpie:
But I don't see it as a prime example of it, so I have to change the word. 

Zara:
Cheating in class is another kind of easy, I would agree. Though, even relating to that same example, Harry's fear that Slughorn will realize he has been cheating all year is stated as a motivation for his lies to Snape about the Potions book.
> 
> This easy choice by Harry is of course shown to have consequences. Harry serves quite a few detentions as a result, and misses the final Quidditch game of the season. On the level of schoolboy infractions (which cheating in class is) this is a serious consequence.

Magpie:
Harry's detentions are pretty firmly put into the context of Snape hating Harry, not Harry getting any sort of fair detention for cheating. He's never outed as a cheater and feels his detentions are Snape liking to stick it to him.

 
> > Magpie:
> > I'd say there's plenty of examples in canon without wanting to raise my hand and disagree with the idea that because something is cowardly it was easy. Which is probably why I wouldn't be Sorted in Gryffindor.
> 
> Zara:
> Hmm, no Gryffindor I, either (Ravenclaw all the way) but to me this seems almost a tautology. If not easy, how about "easier"? 

Magpie:
Easier, I suppose it is, though we're getting back to that problem of any choice you prefer is going to be easier than the one you don't. Just seems like we're watering down the concept when "cowardly" just fits better. I don't have to even change it to "easier" for things like Ron vs. his driving test. 

Zara:
I mean, why does Peter cut off his own hand? I agree that, *to me*, letting Voldy-baby drown in his cauldron seems the easier choice. 

Magpie:
And to me, this is a great example of why "cowardly" is a lot better word choice. The time has come to choose between right vs. easy. Easy in this case being to cut off your own hand. The idea of somebody saying "Well, I just cut off my own hand because it was easier" just sounds hilarious. Where as "I cut off my own hand because I was terrified and feared the alternative even more than cutting off my hand" makes more sense--and is how I would describe the scene. Ironically, Peter's choices probably even aren't truly the ones that lead to easy. But being a coward he always caves to the bully.

Zara:
(Leaving him in Albania seems even easier, a real no-brainer). But what matters is what Peter thinks. And to me, anyway, it seems that to Peter standing up for himself and trying to strike out on his own, is so incredibly dauntingly difficult, at least in his mind, that he sees himself as having no choice but to comply with the bully du jour.

Magpie:
Yup, but I think it's established this was also out of fear, right? He was afraid of the other MWPP coming to get him? Not dauntingly difficult, dauntingly scary. He likes to be protected by the biggest bully on the block.

-m