Draco and the Tonkses

[donnaimmaculata]

Not being much into Draco Malfoy, I've never given it a thought, but maybe someone else (... slippyslope?....) has: How did Draco really feel about Umbridge's crusade of denial? I mean, it is pretty obvious that he quite liked the idea of Dark magic (Borgin & Burkes, CoS), that, in his opinion, there was something thrilling about the whole Heir's of Slytherin affair? I by no means assume that Draco is evil, but he grew up within an environment which idolised Voldemort. So how would the stupid, deluded kid react to Umbridge and the Ministry's propaganda? One should think he wasn't too happy about it. I honestly don't give him enough credit to think that he can mask his feelings well enough to support Umbridge even though he disagrees with her policy, because Draco tends to display his likes and dislikes very openly, without considering possible consequences. Is he on her side because it's not Dumbledore's? Or is it merely because Rowling makes Draco take the wrong side, regardless of the the quality of the individual 'wrong'?

And where are Ted and Andromeda Tonks? They are not dead - Tonks uses the present tense when talking about them ("My dad's Muggle-born and he's a right old slob." "My mum's got this knack of getting stuff to fit itself in neatly - she even gets the socks to fold themselves ..." The Advance Guard, OotP) - but they never get mentioned as Order members/supporters. Are they relevant at all? They should be. Andromeda is Bellatrix and Narcissa's sister, after all.

Hm, yes. That is what I think about when I should be working instead.

Comments

[megstuff.livejournal.com]

I agree with what you're saying here, and it brings up another question I occasionally wonder about (or really, maybe the same question you originally asked!). Lucius is teaching Draco that Voldemort is this wonderful, important leader that is going to set the world right, and at the same time showing him that you can have alliances -- even if they are politically motivated -- with people who disagree with this core belief you have. How does a kid reconcile that? I mean, at some point doesn't he have to ask himself *why* these other people don't agree with Lucius? This probably is more of a tangent than JKR intends to go into, but the story is such an analogy of adolescence; and such a large part of adolescence is learning to think for yourself, that I wonder we don't see any of the kids becoming more independent thinkers. So far they seem to only react to what the adults tell them, but not to question in any meaningful way.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Hermione is quite an independent thinker. Harry too, to a degree. He has grown up not trusting adults, and so far, nothing has happened that could help him develop this trust. As to Draco, I wish Rowling would allow him to grow up. He's such a baby in many respects: his unhealthy obsession with Harry is ridiculous, and I wonder how a boy who keeps whining for his father every time he's in trouble could ever gain any respect among his peers. (I'm sorry, I don't want to diss your man... These are merely the things that annoy me about Draco's characterisation.)

Obviously, Rowling doesn't plan to trace the mechanics of growing-up using Draco. But even as a background character, antagonist and, to a degree, comic relief (he and Crabbe'n'Goil get turned into something nasty at the end of each school year on the train), he should still be allowed to mature alongside the heroes.

[megstuff.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I agree that any of the kids are independent thinkers, at least not fully. Possibly Hermione but definitely not Harry. I will try to make a case for this in my LJ tonight - since I have committed to posting some kind of essay or something every day in November!

I don't want to diss your man
Quite all right! It's not a diss if it's all true. But when you describe him like that I do have to stop and ask myself what exactly it is that I like about him, again?

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

But when you describe him like that I do have to stop and ask myself what exactly it is that I like about him, again?

Ah, but, you see, the like and dislike of single characters is not based on objective evaluation *g* I like Remus, lies, passive aggression and all, because I can reconcile with his flaws quite easily. Draco's flaws happen to be of that sort that I don't like - even though I can understand them to a degree.

I also agree that none of the kids are truly independent thinkers. Harry because, well, he's not much of a thinker. But he doesn't really rely on the judgement of the adults. Harry likes to have his own way and is stubborn, if nothing else. But I'm not thinking clearly tonight, so I'll leave it at that. Looking forward to your essay, though!