People who struggle with depression can dislike Sirius as much as someone else.
I struggle with depression, and loathe Sirius. And I love the idea that it's so easy to forgive say, someone attempting murder repeatedly, or breaking someone's leg, or basically being an asshole all their life because OMG he'll end up with depression. Or Harry's behaviour because he was emotionally abused for the first eleven years of his life. Or Hermione's behaviour because OMG she's just liek an ethnic minority! Well, then I guess that excuses everything! Because no-one else has ever experienced pain except people who are clinically depressed. The Other is always a hollow emotionless shell - they deserve anything you care to throw at them because they can't possibly have suffered as much as Oh So Special Little You!
I always laugh over suggestions that one had to have been somebody like Draco in school to like that character when I wasn't him or Pansy anymore than I was Harry.
There's almost something arrogant in saying 'In all the characters in the books, I identify with Harry, (or even Hermione) the most.'
I mean, I understand it - he has been victimised, it's his POV we're dealing with, so naturally he seems more likeable/rational/insert positive characteristic here than anyone else.
But really? Of a whole universe, you identify most of all with the one whom the entire school revolves? The one who's fundamentally better than anyone else? The one who was loved by his parents much more than anyone else could be, who's the hero to this entire universe, who's talented and popular and good, who's been forced to suffer like no-one else, who's pain is the only pain that's important? And then a reason is usually given like: I identify with him, because I too suffer from low self-esteem!
Likewise, JKR identifies the smartest, prettiest girl in school with herself; and couldn't possibly have anything whatsoever in common with Umbridge (despite creating her!) because, ew Umbridge is nasty! Whereas what? JKR is a living saint? Like the rest of her fandom, apparently!
no subject
I struggle with depression, and loathe Sirius.
And I love the idea that it's so easy to forgive say, someone attempting murder repeatedly, or breaking someone's leg, or basically being an asshole all their life because OMG he'll end up with depression.
Or Harry's behaviour because he was emotionally abused for the first eleven years of his life.
Or Hermione's behaviour because OMG she's just liek an ethnic minority!
Well, then I guess that excuses everything!
Because no-one else has ever experienced pain except people who are clinically depressed.
The Other is always a hollow emotionless shell - they deserve anything you care to throw at them because they can't possibly have suffered as much as Oh So Special Little You!
I always laugh over suggestions that one had to have been somebody like Draco in school to like that character when I wasn't him or Pansy anymore than I was Harry.
There's almost something arrogant in saying 'In all the characters in the books, I identify with Harry, (or even Hermione) the most.'
I mean, I understand it - he has been victimised, it's his POV we're dealing with, so naturally he seems more likeable/rational/insert positive characteristic here than anyone else.
But really? Of a whole universe, you identify most of all with the one whom the entire school revolves? The one who's fundamentally better than anyone else? The one who was loved by his parents much more than anyone else could be, who's the hero to this entire universe, who's talented and popular and good, who's been forced to suffer like no-one else, who's pain is the only pain that's important?
And then a reason is usually given like: I identify with him, because I too suffer from low self-esteem!
Likewise, JKR identifies the smartest, prettiest girl in school with herself; and couldn't possibly have anything whatsoever in common with Umbridge (despite creating her!) because, ew Umbridge is nasty! Whereas what?
JKR is a living saint?
Like the rest of her fandom, apparently!