[the_old_crowd] Re: Some speculations on the night at GH

[Charme]

>> Charme replies:
>>
>> Well, let's look at the definition and context of mercy:
>>
>> - Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; 
>> clemency.
>> - A disposition to be kind and forgiving:
>> - Something for which to be thankful; a blessing:
>> - Alleviation of distress; relief
>>
>> When I think of these definitions, uncannily what comes to mind is 
>> humanity
>> and that virtue applied to DD's calling LV "Tom" rather than by his more
>> inhumane name. Pleas of a distraught mother not withstanding, appealing 
>> to
>> the humanity of an aggressor is not uncommon in a life or death situation
>> regardless of who the victim is doing the pleading - mother, sister,
>> brother, friend, etc. While DD doesn't plea, he does use the tactic of
>> trying to appeal to "Tom" as a person (human), instead of this Lord Voldy
>> thingy everyone is scared to death of. I can see your point about the
>> prepared plan; it astonishes me *why* LV let Lily live long enough to 
>> have a
>> discussion like this in the first place.  A note about the timing of the
>> discussion:  it remains to be seen what the exact sequence of events was
>> here, as it seems disjointed and chaotic the way its written in PoA.  And
>> who said what when may be a critical factor.
>>
> Lyn again
> Interesting reading of the scene--note how it influenced my reply to 
> Joywitch in the post
> just above.

Charme:

Duly noted :)

> Lyn again:
> Can't ever complain about a satisfied customer.  :-)   BTW, I so 
> appreciate the way you
> bring direct quotes from canon in to illustrate and clarify the 
> discussion.
>
> Appreciatively
>
> Lyn

Charme:

Thanks! :)  I always worry that if I don't include some piece of canon in 
discussions like these, my point will be lost or muddied in the virtual 
medium which is the Internet. It's a double-edged sword though;  if you use 
it too much, you end up looking as Snape described Hermoine: an insuffable 
know-it all. Thankyewverymuch for a quite refreshing, engaging discussion!

Best Wishes,
Rebecca