Lack of re-examination (was:Re: Secrets (Long) OLD POST REPOST)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 186712


> 
> Betsy Hp:
> I don't think it's left for the reader, actually.  Certainly a reader *can* go back and reexamine the times Harry may have stumbled, but since the context is never changed (Draco is never recast as a victim in the ferret scene; Harry casting the cruciatus is never written as a moral mistake) I believe they're going against the text when they do so.  I think the reader is expected to just follow along after Harry and adopt his views as their own.  Especially by series end when he has it all figured out.

Pippin:
And what is his view at the end when he's got it all figured out? Draco isn't someone he likes or wants to emulate but he isn't someone to pick on. The government of the WW is safe in the hands of people like Shacklebolt who think that every life is worth the same. You'd be going against the text to think that Shacklebolt approves the use of cruciatus against suspects, or that Harry is going to swoop down on Draco and give him a few bounces for luck as soon as the book closes :)

It's a defining fact of human nature that we are able to learn from other people's mistakes.  I don't find it a stretch to suppose that Harry learned from Snape and Dumbledore.

> 
> Betsy Hp:
> I agree that canon shows Harry as someone who'd abuse power.  What I don't agree with is that canon shows us this consciously.  I see Harry as very much the wealthy, popular, beloved of the powers that be, type of student.

Pippin:
Why would Harry think  that a wealthy, popular, much-loved student couldn't abuse his power? James did. Dumbledore did.  That Harry has done well for himself would not convince him that he could never go wrong.

I think canon showed Harry that killing is harder than the innocent believe, but bullying, unfortunately,  is easier. He saw that many people are reluctant to kill unless they're desperate, but they don't have to be desperate to throw their weight around. They think it's justified, or they think there won't be any consequences that concern them. But canon shows Harry that righteous feelings are often mingled with others, and that the person who thinks that he must be immune to the consequences of unrighteous aggression because he's always escaped them so far is a fool. I don't think Harry wants to be a fool.

Pippin