[HPforGrownups] On the Issue of "Boys will be Boys" Chapt 14 Disc

[Shelley]

No: HPFGUIDX 190075

On 2/17/2011 12:17 AM, Steve wrote:
> This is more of a side note. In my recent comment about Chapt 14, currently under discussion, I commented regarding Harry's behavior with what amounted to "Boys will be boys.
>
> I actually think this is one of the reasons why Harry (and others) are so endearing to us. We see in Harry, the same mistake we made ourselves. We see life reflected in the mirror of Harry.
>
> Harry is not perfect, and I hate characters that are. Flawed, but trying characters are much more interesting.
>
> When Harry goes to Hogsmeade, I'm right there will him, caught up in his flawed kid logic. When he chooses not to tell, I'm with him, again so deeply into his character, that his logic makes sense.
>
> And when he is berated and bullied by Snape, I'm as furious as Harry.
>
> And when Harry is chastised by Lupin, I feel just as ashamed as he does.
>
> And that is one of the very great things about JKR's writing, she pulls you so deeply into her world, that you live it right along with the characters. If they are sad, you are sad. If they are furious, you are furious. And if the feel ashamed, your recognize that shame from the life you've lived yourself.
>
> When we consider how lifelike JKR's world and characters are, we need only look at the fan art and fan fiction, whose massive volume overwhelms any other Genre.
>
> Kids who would never consider writing, are writing Harry Potter fan fiction. Kids who were only moderately interested in art, have illustrated virtually every significant scene in the books, and far more in the world of fan fiction, or from the world of their own imagination.
>
> JKR lights your imagination on fire, and you live the lives of these character right along with them. It is really a very fascinating phenomenon. One that the world is very unlikely to see again.
>
> Just a few random thoughts about boys who will be boys, that the boys (and girls) who will read about them.
>
> Steve/bboyminn
Shelley now:
Steve, I think you are spot-on with all your observations, and I too, 
felt the world through Harry's eyes in the emotion and feeling of it 
all- the joys, the shame, the injustices. JKR did a wonderful job with 
this series, and particularly in this chapter, we believe this 
characters are alive and we identify with them.

There is one thing about Lupin's lecture to Harry that I find 
disturbing- it's that everyone of power and position expects Harry to 
make the wise and correct decisions without full information. They know 
Harry had been living with the Dursleys, they know he's been apart from 
the Wizarding World, they know he hasn't been told much at all about his 
parents. Those with the knowledge to help Harry don't bother to fill him 
in, and I found myself, not the first time reading the books but 
certainly the 2nd and 3rd times, irritated with Lupin. He knows 
Voldemort, he knows what the Potters were like and what they did, and he 
knows Sirius. But, he doesn't bother filling in Harry on what he missed, 
on what he can't possibly know about what happened to his parents. I 
think if Harry knew more, then some of his decisions might have been 
slightly different, more cautious perhaps. Harry's given a chance to do 
something "fun" and liberating" via the twins, and he rightfully jumps 
at it. People are sheltering him "too much" and it's only right that he 
make the effort to go explore the world for himself. I applauded Harry 
for it! I think if he hadn't been sheltered, then maybe he wouldn't have 
had such a desire to go join the other kids for a day of fun.

Shelley