And vice versa, I presume. This chapter very much establishes Harry and Sirius as similiar in their feelings - they loathe being 'ignored' and feeling useless, they desire special treatment and attention and they're both reckless and laugh at danger.
I so love Mira's sum up of this. But it's true--talk about mixed messages. I think Sirius is serious when he says he'd welcome a Dementor attack, and he dies in a similar way, so it's hard to then feel like it was a big tragedy. He died doing what he loved best, fighting without thinking. Love the fact that Harry expected a better welcome. I wish Snape was there to hear that. He stopped expecting any appreciation years ago. (I'll note here that kind of attitude is *exactly* the type of thing always ascribed to Malfoy as proof of how worthless he is, that he expects people to fall at his feet when he enters a room.) The degrading of complaints was very good, though--I believed it. Though I doubt it would have worked coming from anyone not truly sullen.
Love the fact that Harry expected a better welcome. I wish Snape was there to hear that. He stopped expecting any appreciation years ago.
I imagine Snape would exhibit absolutely no surprise!
I'll note here that kind of attitude is *exactly* the type of thing always ascribed to Malfoy as proof of how worthless he is, that he expects people to fall at his feet when he enters a room.
But then of course, arrogance is justified when you have something to back it up. Presumably if Malfoy was as fantastic as he thinks, all his behaviour would be okay! And of course, Malfoy wanting respect (ie not having his name mocked, for example) is completely different to Ron and Harry wanting respect (ie not having their parents mocked, for example.) Because he doesn't deserve respect. Or something. Like the whole 'It's wrong to be arrogantly prejudiced against Mudbloods because Hermione is really smart' message, when in fact, even if Hermione was a hopeless idiot, it still wouldn't mean hating her for her parents would be right.
Hahahahahaha, I can't wait personally! I'm hoping someone will design me a layout with the whole thing emblazoned over it, maybe a Hagrid mood theme and icon set? It was so tight and gripping, after all, and set the scene for Grawp, who was endlessly fascinating! (Actually, Stellamaru wrote eerily canonical Hagrid/Grawp...)
"The idea of the WW wanting Dumbledore as their leader is really sad. Basically, it's the ultimate paternalistic society. You're just placing everything in his hands and trusting his judgment
( ... )
JKR seems to say, that kind of blind loyalty is something good and wonderful.
This comment isn't directed at me, but there's current discussion of this at the latest reread (of HBP Ch24) at deathtocapslock, this time focusing on Harry's friends and their loyalty to him, and how Ginny as the 'ideal' girl has to not only support Harry when he's made mistakes, but denies he's made mistakes at all, and sees his failings as good points; defending him against Hermione, who isn't even attacking his action itself, being herself JKR's idea of a loyal friend. So, yeah, I'd say that this is something JKR sees as desirable, or else is unaware of - the leader to follow shifts, and there are moments when the leaders are revealed to be fallible, but the idea that people think for themselves never really comes up.
Yes, it's bizarre--I hadn't even thought of things like CoS where the 12-year-olds save the day and yet for some reason everything's fixed by DD. And yet this kind of idea is so often presented as the greatest thing in fiction.
I so love Mira's sum up of this. But it's true--talk about mixed messages. I think Sirius is serious when he says he'd welcome a Dementor attack, and he dies in a similar way, so it's hard to then feel like it was a big tragedy. He died doing what he loved best, fighting without thinking. Love the fact that Harry expected a better welcome. I wish Snape was there to hear that. He stopped expecting any appreciation years ago. (I'll note here that kind of attitude is *exactly* the type of thing always ascribed to Malfoy as proof of how worthless he is, that he expects people to fall at his feet when he enters a room.) The degrading of complaints was very good, though--I believed it. Though I doubt it would have worked coming from anyone not truly sullen.
Actually, a really ( ... )
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I imagine Snape would exhibit absolutely no surprise!
I'll note here that kind of attitude is *exactly* the type of thing always ascribed to Malfoy as proof of how worthless he is, that he expects people to fall at his feet when he enters a room.
But then of course, arrogance is justified when you have something to back it up. Presumably if Malfoy was as fantastic as he thinks, all his behaviour would be okay!
And of course, Malfoy wanting respect (ie not having his name mocked, for example) is completely different to Ron and Harry wanting respect (ie not having their parents mocked, for example.) Because he doesn't deserve respect. Or something.
Like the whole 'It's wrong to be arrogantly prejudiced against Mudbloods because Hermione is really smart' message, when in fact, even if Hermione was a hopeless idiot, it still wouldn't mean hating her for her parents would be right.
That's *really ( ... )
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Oh my god.
I just realized we're going to get to that chapter and I will have to read it again.
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I'm hoping someone will design me a layout with the whole thing emblazoned over it, maybe a Hagrid mood theme and icon set?
It was so tight and gripping, after all, and set the scene for Grawp, who was endlessly fascinating!
(Actually, Stellamaru wrote eerily canonical Hagrid/Grawp...)
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Hmm. Lupin as Methos.
("Live, lycanthrope. Grow stronger. Fight another day.")
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This comment isn't directed at me, but there's current discussion of this at the latest reread (of HBP Ch24) at deathtocapslock, this time focusing on Harry's friends and their loyalty to him, and how Ginny as the 'ideal' girl has to not only support Harry when he's made mistakes, but denies he's made mistakes at all, and sees his failings as good points; defending him against Hermione, who isn't even attacking his action itself, being herself JKR's idea of a loyal friend.
So, yeah, I'd say that this is something JKR sees as desirable, or else is unaware of - the leader to follow shifts, and there are moments when the leaders are revealed to be fallible, but the idea that people think for themselves never really comes up.
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