I admit, most of the things you said had occurred to me too, and I see their validity. In the end I suppose I'm just less optimistic than you are. And I want you to be right so very, very much!
Still, here's what I think:
in the story that IS over (which we've seen -- Marauder/Snape era), we've seen that cosmic payback comes (even if not direct retribution for enmity); only they don't always get a chance to learn from it. I mean, there is always potential in arrogance being a cause of death: in James's case, it was.
Really? James died because Voldemort went after his son; what did that have to do with his arrogance? Unless you mean the Secret Keeper switch, but is it arrogant to trust one of your closest friends?
It seems no one ever learns from their mistakes in this universe; at least I haven't seen a single example in five books. It could still happen, but I don't have confidence it will.
And for those who suffered and/or died, their "punishment" wasn't for their actual "crimes," but almost completely unrelated.
I honestly can't imagine anyone not seeing a connection between Remus's silence during the Pensieve scene and the Trio's silence on Montague's injuries (except perhaps that Harry and Ron don't see it as a terrible thing, while Remus at least looked a little disapproving. Why would JKR even bring up such a notion if she were honestly trying to convince everyone that Harry and Ron's thought process is the right one?
No, I don't think she wants us to think they are right. But even if the authorial voice isn't exactly approving their behaviour, I still get the impression it's supposed to be fundamentally harmless, not the descent into darkness it could be a symptom of. Just like we are supposed to find the twins funny, even when they're torturing Muggles, experimenting on first years or blackmailing people. Just like it seems hexing Slytherins until they're unconscious and don't even look human anymore isn't supposed to be serious.
And as for why JKR would do anything - why create interesting, complex characters and then be surprised when your readers like them? I don't understand JKR's thought processes at all.
no subject
Still, here's what I think:
in the story that IS over (which we've seen -- Marauder/Snape era), we've seen that cosmic payback comes (even if not direct retribution for enmity); only they don't always get a chance to learn from it. I mean, there is always potential in arrogance being a cause of death: in James's case, it was.
Really? James died because Voldemort went after his son; what did that have to do with his arrogance? Unless you mean the Secret Keeper switch, but is it arrogant to trust one of your closest friends?
It seems no one ever learns from their mistakes in this universe; at least I haven't seen a single example in five books. It could still happen, but I don't have confidence it will.
And for those who suffered and/or died, their "punishment" wasn't for their actual "crimes," but almost completely unrelated.
I honestly can't imagine anyone not seeing a connection between Remus's silence during the Pensieve scene and the Trio's silence on Montague's injuries (except perhaps that Harry and Ron don't see it as a terrible thing, while Remus at least looked a little disapproving.
Why would JKR even bring up such a notion if she were honestly trying to convince everyone that Harry and Ron's thought process is the right one?
No, I don't think she wants us to think they are right. But even if the authorial voice isn't exactly approving their behaviour, I still get the impression it's supposed to be fundamentally harmless, not the descent into darkness it could be a symptom of. Just like we are supposed to find the twins funny, even when they're torturing Muggles, experimenting on first years or blackmailing people. Just like it seems hexing Slytherins until they're unconscious and don't even look human anymore isn't supposed to be serious.
And as for why JKR would do anything - why create interesting, complex characters and then be surprised when your readers like them? I don't understand JKR's thought processes at all.
Perhaps I'm wrong. I really want to be.