Plugging my theory (was Re: A BIAS in the Pensieve: A Batty

[pippin_999]

> Neri again:
> 
> I think JKR uses mythological and folklore materials in two 
main ways. When the creatures or artifacts are mere plot 
devices, JKR describes them in the conventional way, or 
frequently as a parody. Typical examples: giants, dragons, 
fairies, trolls, centaurs, brooms, wands.
> 
> In contrast, sometimes creatures and artifacts become central 
not only to the plot, but also as a theme. This is when they 
acquire strong metaphorical meaning, and this is when JKR 
gives them her unique personal interpretation (although the 
original mythological andliterary influences can still be easily 
identified). Typical examples: house elves, dementors, the mirror 
of Erised, Harry's scar, Lily's ancient magic, the Unforgivables, 
the patronus.
> 

> For me, Potterverse vampires sound very much like the first 
group. Voldy's immortality, the Dark Mark and Death Eaters 
sound very much like the second.
> 

Pippin:
Ah. I would divide the groups differently. Some creatures are 
merely decorative -- the ones with no character attached like the 
delivery dwarfs in CoS or the fairies. But the ones with a 
character carry out the theme. 

I see the belligerant giants, bloodthirsty vampires, untrustworthy 
werewolves, bootlicking House Elves, xenophobic centaurs, 
avaricious goblins, child-devouring hags and sexually 
manipulative veela as metaphors for the things in human nature 
that we despise and project onto the Other.

Though each race is made notorious for its failings, we are also 
introduced to characters that don't fit the mold, and also to 
humans who demonstrate these failings to an even greater 
degree. 

For example, the goblins are supposed to be greedy for 
treasure, yet they faithfully guard the stone and give it up when it 
is required of them, while the human Quirrell tries to steal it. 

Similarly, the centaurs are characterized as xenophobes, but 
Firenze saves Harry while the Draco regards members 
of even his own race as subhuman.

Werewolves are supposed to be untrustworthy, but Lupin is 
(apparently) mildly so, while the human Peter betrayed his 
dearest friends.  House Elves are supposedly servile but not 
even Winky is as  much a sycophant as Avery. Tom 
Riddle/Voldemort is more bloodthirsty than Aragog or any 
vampire.  Umbridge, if she is not a hag herself, out-hags any hag 
in canon, (and if she is, Bellatrix out-hags *her*). Fleur uses her 
flirtatious charm but Lockhart is even more  manipulative than 
she is, and so on.

IMO, the theme is not the Disneyish sugar-coated "Tolerance 
is easy if you would only try."  The message is "Don't kid your 
self. Tolerance is horribly difficult.   It's also our only hope of 
peace, because all the things we can find to despise in the 
Other, they can find in us."

Pippin