[HPforGrownups] Re:Harry's alleged debt to Dumbledore and Snape WAS: Re: Chapter Discussion

[Margaret Fenney]

No: HPFGUIDX 190829

> >  Nikkalmati
>
> >  JKR wrote the books and sent them out into the world, yes. That does not
> insulate them from fair literary criticism.
>
>  What she did may not be what she intended. We know she was surprised and
> appalled that people actually liked Draco and even Snape,
> >  but the readers' reactions are valid even if she did not expect them.
>
> > Nikkalmati
>
>  Bookcrazzzy:

People can certainly like or dislike characters and respond to the books in
ways that JKR did not intend, but I think it is taking things a bit far to
say that readers' reactions are all valid.  JKR knows the back story,
essential character and motivations of the people in her books far more
deeply than any of the readers and those things are facts rather than
opinions.  Readers can and do have personal biases, assumptions,
misunderstandings, etc. that lead them to invalid conclusions.

There are also differences in culture and values that result in different
readings.  For example, DD makes the observation late in the story that the
Dursley's did much more damage to Dudley than they did to Harry and I agree
with that.  When my sons were growing up, I saw lots of kids who, like
Dudley, were given anything they wanted, bailed out of situations instead of
being justly punished for their role in them and protected from the world
instead of being taught how to deal with it.  I called it "over-love" and
felt very sorry for those kids.  The Dursley's weren't evil, they were just
stupid, selfish, prejudiced, misguided and inconsiderate in the extreme.

DD explained that he didn't tell Harry about the Hallows because he was
worried that Harry would be seduced by them as DD had been himself.  He
wanted Harry to concentrate on the Horcruxes but he left clues to the
Hallows expecting that Harry would mature through the process and be able to
acquire and use the Hallows for unselfish reasons only.  As a parent, I know
that it is difficult to stand back and watch your kids make poor choices or
deal with unfairness - far more difficult than it would be to jump in and
solve everything for them.  But kids have to learn for themselves in many
cases and if they aren't allowed to struggle then they are not allowed to
grow and to learn.

Also, the information that DD had regarding the Horcruxes was extremely
dangerous knowledge.  To tell others was to put them at considerable risk as
well as risk that Voldemort would find out too soon.  He didn't like knowing
those things himself and considered it to be a great burden and thus did not
want to burden others with it unnecessarily.

JMO,

Bookcrazzzy


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