I find some of the most relatable parts of the story to be the vague hero-against-the world / morality allegory, particularly in the dialogue quoted here. I think as much of the micro-morality of the story is Randian in a way that as much of the surface dialogue might paint Rand as a negative colour (if only by showing how ugly her beliefs on the surface, but revealing their purer roots). Harry is basically saying “Yes, everyone is incompetent; woe that they didn’t have the luck to be not, and let’s try and change that without getting too annoyed”. With greater intelligence comes greater ability (and in a sense perceived moral obligation) to restrain or make productive one’s hatred towards that which can’t be changed or that can’t be changed easily. Harry is taking morality as being the extent to which a strength can compensate for weakness in the spirit of creating future strength. The Randian ‘strike’ is a utilitarian way to achieve Randian values, and not an inherently Randian way or whatever. I don’t think it’s immediately obvious Harry isn’t aiming for Randian values, if perhaps narratively in a way that Ayn Rand would not have imagined—i.e. strength and weakness are much more complexly intertwined.
(It’s not obvious either that I’m disagreeing with the parent post.)
I think as much of the micro-morality of the story is Randian in a way that as much of the surface dialogue might paint Rand as a negative colour
Definitely. For me, EY hits some of the exact same buttons that Rand does, though maybe a little harder. In Rand’s terms, the Sense of Life is the same. EY’s money shots, Harry’s internal dialogues, are practically interchangeable with the money shots in Anthem and We The Living, also internal dialogues of the main characters. It’s a Nietzschean Yes! to life. I can’t think of anyone more similar to either in that respect.
The same sense of life, but they part ways on ideological conclusions. Quirrell as the Big Bad, is busy giving the No Duty to others, free to be an Egoist speech. I don’t think we’re intended to sympathize. Then EY makes a package deal of an egoistic love of life and it’ opposite—Despite, the contempt for life because of it’s “imperfections”. Reminds me of It’s a Wonderful Life, where a different kind of package deal is used to recommend the squashing of George’s youthful egoism.
I doubt it. I’m not familiar with any Randian protagonists but if they act in accord to what I understand of Randian philosophical agenda then their attitude would be gratingly incompatible with my sympathy. From what I understand Randians are have their options artificially constrained in the direction of a particular interpretation of ‘selfishness’. Quirrel can do whatever the heck he wants and care about whatever he wants. Doing whatever the heck he wants gets my sympathy and also a certain kind of trust.
I find some of the most relatable parts of the story to be the vague hero-against-the world / morality allegory, particularly in the dialogue quoted here. I think as much of the micro-morality of the story is Randian in a way that as much of the surface dialogue might paint Rand as a negative colour (if only by showing how ugly her beliefs on the surface, but revealing their purer roots). Harry is basically saying “Yes, everyone is incompetent; woe that they didn’t have the luck to be not, and let’s try and change that without getting too annoyed”. With greater intelligence comes greater ability (and in a sense perceived moral obligation) to restrain or make productive one’s hatred towards that which can’t be changed or that can’t be changed easily. Harry is taking morality as being the extent to which a strength can compensate for weakness in the spirit of creating future strength. The Randian ‘strike’ is a utilitarian way to achieve Randian values, and not an inherently Randian way or whatever. I don’t think it’s immediately obvious Harry isn’t aiming for Randian values, if perhaps narratively in a way that Ayn Rand would not have imagined—i.e. strength and weakness are much more complexly intertwined.
(It’s not obvious either that I’m disagreeing with the parent post.)
Definitely. For me, EY hits some of the exact same buttons that Rand does, though maybe a little harder. In Rand’s terms, the Sense of Life is the same. EY’s money shots, Harry’s internal dialogues, are practically interchangeable with the money shots in Anthem and We The Living, also internal dialogues of the main characters. It’s a Nietzschean Yes! to life. I can’t think of anyone more similar to either in that respect.
The same sense of life, but they part ways on ideological conclusions. Quirrell as the Big Bad, is busy giving the No Duty to others, free to be an Egoist speech. I don’t think we’re intended to sympathize. Then EY makes a package deal of an egoistic love of life and it’ opposite—Despite, the contempt for life because of it’s “imperfections”. Reminds me of It’s a Wonderful Life, where a different kind of package deal is used to recommend the squashing of George’s youthful egoism.
Oops.
It’s taken me three passes over the newest posts to figure out that you meant you sympathize with him. Upvoting for (delayed) chuckle.
Do you sympathize with Randian protagonists, too?
I doubt it. I’m not familiar with any Randian protagonists but if they act in accord to what I understand of Randian philosophical agenda then their attitude would be gratingly incompatible with my sympathy. From what I understand Randians are have their options artificially constrained in the direction of a particular interpretation of ‘selfishness’. Quirrel can do whatever the heck he wants and care about whatever he wants. Doing whatever the heck he wants gets my sympathy and also a certain kind of trust.