Dumbledore WAS: Re: Love and Joy vs. Hate and Despair

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 190916



> Pippin:
> I think one of the ideas JKR is exploring  is that in fiction we expect to find "good guys" while in real life there are  no people who are  always going to do the right thing except when some external force prevents them.  
> 
> But I do think we are supposed to see Dumbledore as acting for the common good, except for those occasions when he admits that he behaved selfishly. And I do think there were also occasions when external forces kept Dumbledore from doing as he would have liked.
> 
> 
> Pippin
>
Nikkalmati

Yes, I think one of the things that makes the series brillant is that all of the characters have a dark side or weaknesses that direct their behavior.  Harry is the best person because he has true empathy for others, but even he is not perfect.  I think we are meant to see that anyone who believes he percieves the greater good and that it is his mission to direct other people toward achieving it is dangerous.  Who is to say that this person has it right all the time?  If knowledge is power and he does not share his knowledge, how can he avoid abusing his power?  JKR goes to some trouble to show us that DD has a past that has been covered up.  His own brother, who knows him well, does not approve of his methods.  Even with his good intentions, I believe, we have to conclude that DD is a flawed character. 

Nikkalmati