Fear vs. Courage

[MelissaBritton]

justaHPfan - Great analysis! I think you understood my perspective for the most part.

The question of choice is definitely important! It is through our choices that we show what drives us. I agree the entire HP series is based upon choice. I believe that each character chooses to allow either fear or courage to dictate his/her actions. There is definitely an opportunity for redemption this way, or perhaps, an opportunity to fall prey to our fear.

I think I may have left this point a little too vague. When I say that fear or courage will dictate a character's actions, I need to add this qualifier: "if he/she so chooses." A courageous man is capable of reacting in a fearful manner, just as a fearful man is capable of acting in a courageous manner. Only through choice and action can we see what is driving a person. There are no absolutes.

We can however, derive some basic patterns based upon past reactions and behaviors. Rather than dealve too deeply into the psyche of each character, I chose to address fear and courage as an unconscious motivating factor. Many times we see a character make a decision in an instant that shows either fear or courage. These quick decisions can often times show what driving force the character has allowed to dictate his/her actions. That is not to say that a character who has shown fear in the past cannot choose to go against their previous patterns, but at the moment they do, their driving force has shifted, no matter how long or short-lived that may be.

I'm not sure if I've clarified the misty details of my perspective, but it is quite a complicated topic. I've tried to present my ideas clearly and somewhat concisely. I hope this helps.

Thanks for participating. I truly enjoy the challenge.

BTW - I may or may not (*wink, wink*) be working on another editorial that I believe presents another new perspective. Keep your eyes open.

[Youdan]

Fear can also manifest in a lack of trust. Trust in others and of ones self. And trust can be broken easy. Verbal abuse can break trust. As with Snape's treatment of Harry all through the books. Harry can't trust Snape to be fair.
so Harrys thinks the worst of Snape.
Draco dosen't seem to trust anybody. Ron dosen't trust himself. lack of self confidence unable to trust his abilties as keeper.

[MelissaBritton]

Great point Youdan.

Courage, trust and confidence are all cousins.

[justaHPfan]

Originally Posted by MelissaBritton

Many times we see a character make a decision in an instant that shows either fear or courage. These quick decisions can often times show what driving force the character has allowed to dictate his/her actions. That is not to say that a character who has shown fear in the past cannot choose to go against their previous patterns, but at the moment they do, their driving force has shifted, no matter how long or short-lived that may be.

I see your point here. This is a good explanation and does clear up your statement from the editorial. Thanks! It's true that difficult circumstances show what's truly inside us. I love the analogy someone told me of a mustard bottle. You assume there is mustard inside (based on the outside) but you don't really know until you squeeze it.

Thanks for you compliment on the analysis, too. That was nice of you to say. I'll keep my eyes open for another editorial. It'll be fun to read some before July!

[veelavouivre]

Yes! we keep our eyes open for another editorial!! :-)

I love this discussion about courage and fear: we live by it everyday, even at work, in front of friends, boss, parents: the fear to say something that may hurt, or stay silent, the fear to just ask for a raise, the fear to disappoint, etc. Everyday you have to challenge yourself a bit, make an effort. It is not as demanding as going to war or not, but still...It is a topic that touches us all.

[Boromir]

Originally Posted by vlasiou

I so missed editorials tha present a fresh theory (rather than a school essay -- albeit well-written -- on this or that moral subject)...

I don't know how to judge this editorial. Was it well written? Yes. Many students would be proud (and their teachers too).

Was it even remotely interesting to me? No. I can see these things for myself, but I cannot come up with a fresh theory that will help me solve the puzzle.

You best stick to it there. If you say you disagree with something and mention the words like "bizzare conclusion", you may find your posts being removed without a reason given to you, just because the editorial is the length of a novel and written by a professor surely it is "rude" to say they have reached an unorthodox conclusion.

[Youdan]

Is it courageous to stick to ones conviction even if all the evidence is against it or are they to afraid to admit a wrong?
As if admiting a wrong is a sign of a weakness. Acting brave and couragious rather then admitting to the fear of being wrong. To be right no matter what is better then being wrong.

As with Fudge, Scimgeour, Percy, and the ministry of Magic in both the tOoP and HBP
Is it eayser to admit being right then being wrong and it takes a brave person to admit to being wrong but many people just see it as just being weak.

Some think it is a sign of courage to stand up for your conviction no mater what. Great if your right and bad if your wrong.

also is it courageous to do something on your own and weak to ask for help? are people afraid to ask for help because it is seen a couragous to do it on your own?

[sfgilgalad]

I'm just sad the editorial don't talk about the dementors... They're the only ones that Harry fears. His bogart transform itself to a dementor. But well, he seems to have resolved this matter.
Well, as I'm thinking of bogarts, that's also sad the editorial don't talk about them. After all, they transform into your worst fear, and if you want to get rid of them, you have to laugh. I wonder how voldemort copes with them. And what he sees. That would be interresting if Harry brought a dementor to see Voldemort worst fear. Then, he would know what to do to kill him as death is probably V's greatest fear. In fact, to defeat the DE and Voldemort, you might just have to attack them with an army of bogarts hahaha

[Boromir]

Originally Posted by sfgilgalad

I'm just sad the editorial don't talk about the dementors... They're the only ones that Harry fears. His bogart transform itself to a dementor. But well, he seems to have resolved this matter.
Well, as I'm thinking of bogarts, that's also sad the editorial don't talk about them. After all, they transform into your worst fear, and if you want to get rid of them, you have to laugh. I wonder how voldemort copes with them. And what he sees. That would be interresting if Harry brought a dementor to see Voldemort worst fear. Then, he would know what to do to kill him as death is probably V's greatest fear. In fact, to defeat the DE and Voldemort, you might just have to attack them with an army of bogarts hahaha

[Volodymyr]

Voldemort made Quirrell lie to Harry to protect Snape's cover.

That seems unlikely, seeing as Voldemort thought that Snape was either a coward or a deserter in book 4.

[Boromir]

Originally Posted by Volodymyr

That seems unlikely, seeing as Voldemort thought that Snape was either a coward or a deserter in book 4.

Exactly

[sfgilgalad]

he might have been lying again

[Youdan]

Isn't Voldermort's worse fear his own death and didn't Lupin say Harry's fear was Fear its self. What if ones fear ones own self (self doubt) How would a bogart show a person worse fears if that person worse fear is being alone with just themselves or any of the self phobias? fear of hights, flying, people, crowds, the unknown or change etc.

[saschia]

How would a bogart show a person worse fears if that person worse fear is being alone with just themselves or any of the self phobias? fear of hights, flying, people, crowds, the unknown or change etc.

Yes, it's very demanding job to be a boggart

But I think boggarts turn into things you fear contiously... All the phobias are not really fears, they are bodily responses to things, but you cannot overcome them... you can of course fear your responses and overcome those fears and encounter things which you have phobia to...

[Youdan]

Love gives you the courage to conquor your fears.

[sfgilgalad]

No I know. Dumbledore is the only one Voldemort ever feared. So, Voldemort's bogart would show Dumbledore ! The minute Voldemort sees Dumbledore, he believes that his Death Eaters lied and that Dumbledore wasn't killed.
but what, then?

[Youdan]

Voldermort also seems to fear Harry since the hearing only part of the prophey. Because he keeps trying to kill Harry ridding him of the fear that Harry has the power to Vanquish the Dark lord.

But where do we see Harry's power of love? How will that power work to be able to vanquish the Dark lord?
Where Voldermort couldn't touch Harry in the PS but after regenerating using Harry's blood he can, (GOF)
Voldermort found he can't possess Harry (OotP)
Their wands wont work agaist each other (GOF)

But in ther first chapter in OotP Uncle Vernon tried to Grab Harry. OotP U.K. pg. 10

'Get - off - me!' Harry gasped. For a few seconds they struggled. Harry pulled at his unlce's sauage-like fingers with his left hand,his right maintaining a frim grip on his wand; then as the pain in the top of Harry's head gave a particularlt nasty thorb, Uncle Vernon yelped and released Harry as though he had recived an electric shock. Some Invisible force seemed to have surged through his nephew, making him impossible to hold.

Will Harry be able to channel that power so in the final confrontation With Voldermort. Will Hary Hold touch Grab Voldermort letting the power Surge though him into Voldermort finally destroying the Dark lord leaving only a Tom Riddle who is powerless.
Like the laying of hands to heal ..