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

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 186358


> 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. 

Pippin:
Not if you finish the sentence "easier than getting killed."

 IMO,  Dumbledore uses "easy" instead of "cowardly" because he isn't only thinking of cowardice. He's thinking of apathy and defeatism as well. He's thinking of Fudge, who won't admit that Voldemort is back because it's easier to convince himself that things are okay than to admit that he's inadequate to the situation, and who will be trying to persuade others to share his views.

Dumbledore is also mindful of his audience, most of whom would not consider themselves cowards, and therefore couldn't imagine themselves being tempted by cowardice. OTOH, being lazy is something they enjoy.

You seem to be  interpreting the  easy choice as "easier to live with" and saying that ought to be the same as "easier to make." That might work if people had perfect information and made decisions rationally. But they don't.  For one thing, they're biased towards short term gains. 

Peter had plenty of time to discover that it's not easy living as a coward, but it was familiar and so, moment to moment, it took less effort than trying to be brave. 

It isn't easy for Ron to live with his insecurities, but they do give him an excuse for  not competing with those he loves. Short term, that's easier than  the risk of making his friends and family jealous.

Lupin has the insight to  know he's a coward, and that's not easy, but it's easier, short-term, than braving the risk of angering a friend. In DH, he finally does something to make Harry angry, Lupin gets angry back, and guess what, the world does not come to an end for either of them. 

Pippin

 









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.
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> -m
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