Revisiting meta about Draco...
May. 8th, 2015 08:50 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
sweettalkeress.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
deathtocapslockDid anyone else pick up on just how much Rowling's commentary about Draco seems to infantilize him? I'm totally serious--the way she writes about him he seems to be only slightly more mature and proactive than Harry! Look at the way she phrases things:
"Much of Draco's behavior at school was modeled on the most impressive person he knew--his father--and he faithfully copied Lucius's cold and contemputous manner toward everyone outside his inner circle.
...
However, Malfoy had his own moments of humiliation at Harry's hands....
...
Much as the Death Eaters disliked Harry as an obstacle and as a symbol, he was discussed seriously as an adversary, whereas Draco was still relegated to the status of schoolboy by Death Eaters who met at his parents' house.
...
At this early stage [of joining the Death Eaters]...Draco barely comprehended what he was being asked to do.
...
Even so, he could not free himself from his conditioning: he repeatedly refused the assistance of Severus Snape, because he was afraid that Snape would try to steal his 'glory.'
...
Even when faced with a weak and wandless Dumbledore, Draco found himself unable to deliver the coup de grace because, in spite of himself, he was touched by Dumbledore's kindness and pity for his would-be killer....Dumbledore was, indeed, killed [by something Draco caused]--though not by Draco's hand. [Rowling then explains that Snape lied and covered Draco's reluctance to kill Dumbledore to Voldemort].
...
Draco survived Voldemort's siege of Hogwarts because Harry and Ron saved his life."
And from Rowling's extra notes:
"Draco never realizes that he becomes, for the best part of a year, the true owner of the Elder Wand.
...
I pity Draco, just as I feel sorry for Dudley." (But, crucially, to "pity" someone is not the same as giving them true sympathy)
I just think it seems like a pattern, you know? Are there any other characters she does this to? Or is Draco a special case?
"Much of Draco's behavior at school was modeled on the most impressive person he knew--his father--and he faithfully copied Lucius's cold and contemputous manner toward everyone outside his inner circle.
...
However, Malfoy had his own moments of humiliation at Harry's hands....
...
Much as the Death Eaters disliked Harry as an obstacle and as a symbol, he was discussed seriously as an adversary, whereas Draco was still relegated to the status of schoolboy by Death Eaters who met at his parents' house.
...
At this early stage [of joining the Death Eaters]...Draco barely comprehended what he was being asked to do.
...
Even so, he could not free himself from his conditioning: he repeatedly refused the assistance of Severus Snape, because he was afraid that Snape would try to steal his 'glory.'
...
Even when faced with a weak and wandless Dumbledore, Draco found himself unable to deliver the coup de grace because, in spite of himself, he was touched by Dumbledore's kindness and pity for his would-be killer....Dumbledore was, indeed, killed [by something Draco caused]--though not by Draco's hand. [Rowling then explains that Snape lied and covered Draco's reluctance to kill Dumbledore to Voldemort].
...
Draco survived Voldemort's siege of Hogwarts because Harry and Ron saved his life."
And from Rowling's extra notes:
"Draco never realizes that he becomes, for the best part of a year, the true owner of the Elder Wand.
...
I pity Draco, just as I feel sorry for Dudley." (But, crucially, to "pity" someone is not the same as giving them true sympathy)
I just think it seems like a pattern, you know? Are there any other characters she does this to? Or is Draco a special case?
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no subject
Date: 2015-05-09 07:20 am (UTC)Like in OotP, Harry's not being able to curse Bellatrix for any extended amount of time is a sign of his Pure Heart, and in HBP, the suggestion that Malfoy's going to curse Harry is presented as justification for Harry unleashing the unknown Sectumsempra; but then in DH, Malfoy's pitiful for being forced by Voldie to Crucio other Death Eaters, whereas Harry does it of his own volition and is then complimented for his gallantry.
I'd wonder if it's almost unconscious, tbh, like she mentions at the end of HBP how Harry always 'despised' Malfoy's 'fascination' with the Dark Arts. Like even on a Watsonian level, that's some pretty giant projecting from a character who's spent an entire book learning how to slice and dice his enemies.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-10 05:42 am (UTC)Give me a moment, and I'll see if I can conjure up how these same sentences would be rephrased if JKR swapped her favoritism for Draco and for Harry.