Werewolf--how important is it?

[aikakone]

Here's a thought I had a bit ago when suggesting things for Mrs. Niles Crane to write.

Many of us write fan fics in which Ginny accepts Remus for all that he is. She says being a werewolf isn't an issue for her. I'm glad of it, but really this question isn't about them as a ship.

I want to know how important being a werewolf is for Remus as a character. That's why I'm posing this in the Remus-only forum.

If Remus wasn't a werewolf, would he still be the character we love? What are the qualities that make him an attractive (and I don't mean merely physically) character? In other words, is he cool and worth a second glance without the dark wolf within him?

I think the series would have been different for sure. I don't expect that the Marauders would have been animagi without his being a werewolf.

Okay, fuel for discussion. I hope some of you take me up on it.

[AJRoald]

You had to know I'd bite ...

I think being a werewolf is very important to Remus' character. His lifes hardships and the prejudices he has faced has made him who he is.

He would probably not be as tollerant, accepting or as willing to forgive. He probably would not have formed such strong survival skills, and the appreciation for what he has.

As a youth, he probably wouldn't have 'overlooked' James' and Sirius' flaws as readily, and may or may not have been friends with them at all. Or he may have been just as 'arrogant' and done many of the mean things they did.

Now, all that being said - I don't think it is imortant that he 'continues' to be a werewolf (ie...if they were to find a cure).

[mrsnilescrane]

I think it's fairly important... and not just where "character sympathy" is concerned (something I just have to stick in: Remus is the only character in the series that I really feel bad for.)

I agree with AJ about his condition being a cause for his strength, his ability to cope in most situations, and his distantly morbid demeanor. When you think about it, he's never really "kind" to anyone. Just, sort of... there to assist.

I don't know... I'm going to start rambling pretty soon, so I suppose I'll just end off now. Have fun trying to sift through my point-lacking post.

[AJRoald]

Hm...I guess I never thought of Remus not being traditionally 'kind' mrsnilescrane, but that's a very good character analysis...I guess one could say Remus is 'distantly kind'.

While I still am firm that Remus had to be a werewolf to be the person/character he is, I'm wondering what about if a cure was found? What type of person do you think he would be if he could get rid of the werewolf inside? Even if he didn't have monthly transformations, would it ever truly be gone?

[aikakone]

AJRoald said:

What type of person do you think he would be if he could get rid of the werewolf inside? Even if he didn't have monthly transformations, would it ever truly be gone?

I honestly don't think so. I wrote as such in part 5 of "In My Voice". The werewolf is part of his self-definition, and he doesn't know who he is without it.