Once again you've come up with a wonderful, thought-provoking essay!
It seems to me that Percy took the 'risk' of writing to Ron because Ron is the only one of his younger siblings (and thus, those over whom he might have some influence) who hasn't overtly betrayed him. The twins are horribly cruel to him (as they are to Ron in OotP regarding Ron being a prefect and the whole Quidditch thing). And Ginny, despite promising to keep his secret about Penny, spills the beans to the very people he didn't want to know. (I remember feeling a bit sick at the description of the twins looking like Christmas had come early, and foolish Ginny believing their promise that they wouldn't tease Percy about it). Although I was somewhat intrigued by the revelations of Ginny's character in OotP, it also seems pretty clear that she's a Twins kind of girl, and any loyalty she ever felt toward Percy has gone by the wayside.
I think it's also important to remember, when discussing Percy, Draco and the Slytherins in OotP, that they were supporting the Ministry! We as readers 'know' that the Ministry is corrupt, but it seems clear that the average witch or wizard on the street does not. How many people in history have given their very lives to support their government, even when said government is lying to/manipulating them? (Both the Viet Nam war and the current US war in Iraq spring to mind here.) If one isn't a confidante of Harry or Dumbledore, whyever wouldn't they support the Ministry? It seems clear that the Ministry of Magic as a whole is the most powerful entity in the Magical UK. It's so easy to diss Percy for betraying his family, or Draco, et al for sucking up to and supporting Umbridge, but I think, as far as they can see, Umbridge, as a representative of the Ministry, is in the right, and anyone fighting against her must be doing so in an attempt to undermine stability and the rule of law.
This statement: "Conversion" from one side to another in this universe is rarely if ever rewarded or respected by either side. And this: The kids in this world just literally don't seem to have the power to [run off on their own and live just fine] the way kids do now really make a strong point, and I've seen some Draco-centric fanfic that seems to capture the idea as well. In this world, one who disagrees with his (or her) 'set path' is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
(BTW, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Millicent -- I'm incredibly interested in her!)
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Date: 2004-03-21 12:41 pm (UTC)It seems to me that Percy took the 'risk' of writing to Ron because Ron is the only one of his younger siblings (and thus, those over whom he might have some influence) who hasn't overtly betrayed him. The twins are horribly cruel to him (as they are to Ron in OotP regarding Ron being a prefect and the whole Quidditch thing). And Ginny, despite promising to keep his secret about Penny, spills the beans to the very people he didn't want to know. (I remember feeling a bit sick at the description of the twins looking like Christmas had come early, and foolish Ginny believing their promise that they wouldn't tease Percy about it). Although I was somewhat intrigued by the revelations of Ginny's character in OotP, it also seems pretty clear that she's a Twins kind of girl, and any loyalty she ever felt toward Percy has gone by the wayside.
I think it's also important to remember, when discussing Percy, Draco and the Slytherins in OotP, that they were supporting the Ministry! We as readers 'know' that the Ministry is corrupt, but it seems clear that the average witch or wizard on the street does not. How many people in history have given their very lives to support their government, even when said government is lying to/manipulating them? (Both the Viet Nam war and the current US war in Iraq spring to mind here.) If one isn't a confidante of Harry or Dumbledore, whyever wouldn't they support the Ministry? It seems clear that the Ministry of Magic as a whole is the most powerful entity in the Magical UK. It's so easy to diss Percy for betraying his family, or Draco, et al for sucking up to and supporting Umbridge, but I think, as far as they can see, Umbridge, as a representative of the Ministry, is in the right, and anyone fighting against her must be doing so in an attempt to undermine stability and the rule of law.
This statement: "Conversion" from one side to another in this universe is rarely if ever rewarded or respected by either side. And this: The kids in this world just literally don't seem to have the power to [run off on their own and live just fine] the way kids do now really make a strong point, and I've seen some Draco-centric fanfic that seems to capture the idea as well. In this world, one who disagrees with his (or her) 'set path' is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
(BTW, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Millicent -- I'm incredibly interested in her!)