JKR confirms that Harry is, in fact, still the hero of her story...

[cheeringcharm]

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that JKR has debunked the Knight to King theory. I will give the authors of this theory credit for being so creative and for putting so much time, effort and thought into their theory. I was even sucked in for about 15 minutes when I read it. Then the reality of canon returned and I came to my senses. I do wonder

Comments

[annearchy]

Bravo for everything you said and the way you said it. This story is HARRY POTTER AND...and Ron is part (a big part) of the "and". There is NOTHING wrong with Ron being 'the sidekick'. He does it fantastically well. Thanks for articulating this; I'm sure I'm not the only person who's felt this way but hasn't been able to put it into words.

[cheeringcharm]

He is a great sidekick. I'm happy with him (and his development) in that role. It is when people try to puff him up that make me dislike Ron. Poor guy. It isn't his fault.

[avidbeader]

Great points, Mel. Well said.

[cheeringcharm]

thanks!

[call_me_ps]

I've never liked the Knight-to-King theory (even if I like my Ron is royalty icon--I don't see that as supporting the K-to-K theory. I see it as pointing out that Ron has value). I've always thought it ridiculous and far-fetched as all get out

[cheeringcharm]

I think he will, with Harry at his side. As you know, I firmly believe that Ron and Hermione (and possibly Neville) will be absolutely critical to Harry's defeat of Voldemort.

A few months ago, I would have agreed with you 100%. However, I don't know that I believe they are 'critical' to Voldemort's defeat. I think they are critical to Harry's well being, to keeping Harry in a grounded, sane state of mind. I can see them supporting him as they did readying him for the Third Task in GoF. But, I think Harry has everything he needs to defeat Voldie - the skills, the brain power, the bravery. There is only so much they, and DD can do for him. I think the book will end as it began, with Harry having to rely on himself.

He was the only of the fab four (Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville) to be immediately picked to Gryffindor without a second consideration.You see this as a sign that the Sorting Hat thinks unequivocally that Ron's greatest trait is bravery. I see this as Ron sitting on the stool, chanting "Gryffindor, Gryffindor" in his

[call_me_ps]

lol--Exactly as we've said before. Reading the same text, and having two different interpretations.

I think you could also argue that Ron went straight into Gryffindor because it was his most prominent trait, however, it isn't necessarily *as strong* in him as in others. It's just stronger than his academics or slyness or work ethic (he really doesn't fit in Huffle because he isn't a hard worker!). In other words, Gryffindor by default. :-) But I like to think it's because he's a true Gryffindor. Which, I guess, makes him much more one-dimensional than say, Hermione or Harry.

[cheeringcharm]

He is probably a more balanced Gryffindor than Harry or Hermione, meaning he has all the traits of a gryffindor in equal parts. But, I think Ron's 'bravery' and 'loyalty' are overused as examples of Ron's good traits. I see both of those traits of his being conditional: the bravery on Harry's support and presence and the loyalty as long as he isn't betrayed. Not that he doesn't have them, he does. But, Harry's bravery (or suicidal tendancy) and Hermione's intelligence (or hard work and perseverence) are obvious, unwaverying traits. Ron's bravery and loyalty aren't unwavering.

Harry asked for Gryffindor, Hermione asked for Gryffindor, my guess is Neville was wibbling up there between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. "Well, my family thinks I"m barely a wizard, so I should probably be in Hufflepuff. My parents were in gryffindor, I'd like to be there but I'll never be the wizards they were..." Why is it so hard to believe that Ron asked too? It's our choices, you know...;) It doesn't make him less a Gryffindor.

[cheeringcharm]

ad absurdum

That's pretty much me. In a nutshell.

[pannalid]

Absolutely, hands down, the Harry Potter related... blurb... I've read in a long, long time. Essay-like in your opinion and reasoning. I don't know if that's what you're going for, but I'm sitting here in Journalism class absolutely floored and inspired by what you've written. Clapping!

I completely agree, by the way. If you haven't caught that already. Your summarization of why Ron is Ron is completely understandable and accurate.

I'll go now. But thanks for that!

[cheeringcharm]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.