CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 9, THE MIDNIGHT DUEL

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 188292

Powerbabe:
5. Duels are written into many books and stories. More often than not, they are
between a good and a bad person and they do not end on a happy note. What were
your thoughts as soon as the duel was scheduled to happen? Did you think Ron,
Harry, Malfoy, or even Crabbe might have died or gotten hurt?


Alla:

You know, you got me thinking about the possible symbolism of the duels in literature in general and in HP. Personally I am of two minds about them. I do disagree that duels are more often than not between a good and a bad person, actually. I mean, obviously there are stories where that does happen, but even in Three Musketeers all those duels between D'Artanian and Roshfor end up with deciding that being friends is better than them eventually killing each other (sniff), so I would say that duel is often quite an annoying deadly way to fight over possible violation of honor and two guys fighting both could be quite honorable people. Even such amazing friends as Steven Maturin and Jack Aubrey almost had that duel.

I know I am starting to ramble, but to get back to this particular duel, while I do not remember for sure my first reaction I think, actually this was a chance for Draco to show me that he is actually not a disgusting little shmack which I started to think he is.

I guess I was just glad that he suggested the duel? Maybe I am projecting now, as I said I cannot be sure, but I suppose to me one of the symbolism of the duel is that no matter what the reasons are, no matter how ridiculous they are, if you are agreeing, you are fighting out something which is important to you, that there is something honorable in you?

Oh, I don't know, but I think it is quite possible that Draco not showing up was something that cemented my dislike of him if that makes sense. I may have been thinking something like - oh look, not only he is a racist, but he is also a dishonorable coward. EWW. On the other hand, again, I do not know if this WAS my first reaction or is this my look backwards from seven other books.

However, to continue rambling, as some of you know I studied a russian literature of 19 century in rather great detail and duels there are often twisted in something rather different - a useless waste of life, killing each other for nothing, for something which is **perceived** to be a question of honor in society's eyes, however one can see that it us really insignificant and not worth it.

The best example of course is Eugene Onegin, where two friends ending up fighting a deadly duel over one of them flirting with rather shallow girl, whom the other guy thought he loved and it made quite clear that basically accidental death really is not worth the idea of not shrugging it off, just something that society deems appropriate. There is also a fact that two of the brilliant poets and writers of 19th century were indeed killed during such duels and I have rather wishy washy attitude about them.

To go back to HP, maybe JKR did not mean to make a point that Draco is dishonorable by not showing up, maybe she meant to say that the rivalry between schoolboys is not worth doing stuff like that, which is while not deadly when they are young and unskilled, could turn out to be quite deadly?

I don't know. Thanks for cool questions.

Alla