I’m getting into this late commenting habit. It’s very impolite. ;)
it's that for some people (me) the idea that he's a hate object there to show us that "some people are just bad" and so must be punished is really disturbing
Right ,this, this is a large part of the reason I like Draco. Beyond the character traits that make him attractive to me (like his habit of saying what everyone’s thinking, but doesn’t dare voice), and the potential for growth the character has (in fanfic at least), a great part of it is me rebelling against his one-dimentionnal portrayal, and the way people are so quick to dismiss him.
The "real reason" behind this attitude was suggested to be that people liked their interpretation of canon better than canon itself.
And this just assumes there is such a thing as an objective, ‘definitive’ interpretation of canon, which is just absurd. Leaving issues of personnal interpretation aside (which of course color everyone’s perception of the text), the fact remains that we as readers perceive everything from Harry’s POV (with Harry’s opinions and biases), and are not subject to other characters’ thoughts, or any info Harry doesn’t know. So, prior to OotP, saying Harry secretely loves the Dursleys would contradict canon; saying Lucius was smooth and efficient in battle wouldn’t.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-12-02 10:50 am (UTC)it's that for some people (me) the idea that he's a hate object there to show us that "some people are just bad" and so must be punished is really disturbing
Right ,this, this is a large part of the reason I like Draco. Beyond the character traits that make him attractive to me (like his habit of saying what everyone’s thinking, but doesn’t dare voice), and the potential for growth the character has (in fanfic at least), a great part of it is me rebelling against his one-dimentionnal portrayal, and the way people are so quick to dismiss him.
The "real reason" behind this attitude was suggested to be that people liked their interpretation of canon better than canon itself.
And this just assumes there is such a thing as an objective, ‘definitive’ interpretation of canon, which is just absurd. Leaving issues of personnal interpretation aside (which of course color everyone’s perception of the text), the fact remains that we as readers perceive everything from Harry’s POV (with Harry’s opinions and biases), and are not subject to other characters’ thoughts, or any info Harry doesn’t know. So, prior to OotP, saying Harry secretely loves the Dursleys would contradict canon; saying Lucius was smooth and efficient in battle wouldn’t.
Anyway, excellent post.