This is so interesting. I don't think I could take on a hobby so dangerous -- but my affiliation with the Marauders is wrapped up in my pre-motherhood career. I was an Intelligence Officer in the Navy and worked with many other Naval Officers. Many, especially the fighter pilots on the aircraft carrier (Top Gun wasn't too far off the mark, I am loathe to admit), were the kind of self-assured hotties that can grate on your nerves in certain circumstances -- but that kind of confidence in necessary when you are doing the equivalent of landing a semi truck on a postage stamp at top speeds (carrier landings are one of the most difficult things any pilot ever has to do). Safety on the flight deck is no laughing matter -- and everyone knows it, though in other places they have plenty of fun (and make fun of plenty of people). These are guys I'd trust with my lives, if not to date my best girlfriend (Although a lucky few fall into both catergories).
And I appreciate your point about James being fifteen. I think many times adult fans who criticize James based on Snape's Worst Memory lose sight of that. Especially because (though he certainly has some maturing to do) Harry is a very different sort of fifteen-year-old.
I'm glad you put these thoughts down -- thinking about how and why we identify with certain characters is a great exercise.
I am SO eager to respond to this when I'm not at work. Please stay tuned. I loved your semi truck on postage stamp analogy. You write the Marauders beautifully and I had a sense that motherhood played into that, but this is an interesting missing piece of background.
I said I was so eager to repond and look how long it took me- HA! Please take it as a compliment because I do the same with thought provoking e-mails that deserve the best response I can give them. No work today, so here goes:
I was enthralled reading your description of your past work environment; it definitely mirrors the mountain community in many ways, (including the humor bit- a good story at camp is some people's biggest thrill). That kind of confidence IS necessary, but unfortunately, as you’ve seen, it often comes with baggage. For several years, I worked for a mountaineering company that designed, tested, and manufactured all of its own climbing safety equipment. I too, ran into these personalities on a daily basis. It sometimes left you shaking your head. Fortunately, the mountaineering community holds some truly spectacular and inspiring people as well, so you can choose to avoid the former group for the latter and share some amazing experiences a la Joseph Campbell, which Moonette and I talked about below.
As for the Marauders: It is a shame when valor and talent insist on dressing in ego’s ugly clothes. I think this is why Lily was so mad at James in the Pensieve. But I also think, based on the clue trail of canon, he made the giant leap you described from self-assured hottie to self-assured hottie who lost (at least some of) the ego and deserved to date one’s best friend (or in this case Lily). I think JKR showed us these boys at the apex of their faults and immaturity. (I also think she only had one scene and packed it all in.) It made them human and comical in my eyes and therefore, more interesting. My black dog hates the computer, so I’d better go now!
And I appreciate your point about James being fifteen. I think many times adult fans who criticize James based on Snape's Worst Memory lose sight of that. Especially because (though he certainly has some maturing to do) Harry is a very different sort of fifteen-year-old.
I'm glad you put these thoughts down -- thinking about how and why we identify with certain characters is a great exercise.
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I was enthralled reading your description of your past work environment; it definitely mirrors the mountain community in many ways, (including the humor bit- a good story at camp is some people's biggest thrill). That kind of confidence IS necessary, but unfortunately, as you’ve seen, it often comes with baggage. For several years, I worked for a mountaineering company that designed, tested, and manufactured all of its own climbing safety equipment. I too, ran into these personalities on a daily basis. It sometimes left you shaking your head. Fortunately, the mountaineering community holds some truly spectacular and inspiring people as well, so you can choose to avoid the former group for the latter and share some amazing experiences a la Joseph Campbell, which Moonette and I talked about below.
As for the Marauders: It is a shame when valor and talent insist on dressing in ego’s ugly clothes. I think this is why Lily was so mad at James in the Pensieve. But I also think, based on the clue trail of canon, he made the giant leap you described from self-assured hottie to self-assured hottie who lost (at least some of) the ego and deserved to date one’s best friend (or in this case Lily). I think JKR showed us these boys at the apex of their faults and immaturity. (I also think she only had one scene and packed it all in.) It made them human and comical in my eyes and therefore, more interesting. My black dog hates the computer, so I’d better go now!
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