Morality and Harry Potter

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 191896



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Bart Lidofsky <bart at ...> wrote:
>
> Kathy:
> > I thought some of Harry best moments came when he broke the rules. 
> > Using magic on Aunt Marge at the start of POA? Fine with me because 
> > Harry finally showed the Dursleys that they couldn't bully him any 
> > more. Trashing Dumbledore's office at the end of OOTP? I was cheering 
> > Harry on since Dumbledore left him in the hands of that sadist 
> > Umbridge. I remember how upset some group members were that Harry used 
> > Unforgivable curses during Deathly Hallows. If the authorities weren't 
> > following the rules then why should he?

Nikkalmati

I see a distinction between breaking rules and doing something immoral.  Of these examples only using unforgivable could in theory be immoral.  Oh, and what everyone else does does not determine what is or is not moral.

Nikkalmati
> 
>      The prohibition on the use of underage magic always seemed like an 
> artificial and forced plot device to me. Especially the way it is 
> enforced; it essentially means that kids from magical household can use 
> magic freely under parental supervision, while muggleborns are 
> prohibited. How can they do their summer homework? How can they even 
> keep in practice (not exercising skills for 2 months, especially newly 
> learned skills, is a great way to lose them)? What about homeschooled 
> children? And, what about subconscious use of magic (as was the case 
> with Aunt Marge)? Note that Harry got into trouble because of the use of 
> elf magic near him, while, in the Weasley household, there is magic 
> going on all the time, not to mention the Weasley kids practicing 
> Quidditch (flying on a broom isn't magic?).
> 
>snip>

Nikkalmati

You seem to be saying it is not fair, not that it is not believable (i.e. a plot device).

Nikkalmati