(no subject)
I've glimpsed some of the reactions to OotP and have decided to do the meme, in order to condense some of my own thoughts.
1. Describe in five words or less how you feel about Order of the Phoenix. (your initial reaction)
Relieved, Intrigued, and Satisfied
2. What are your feelings on Harry's personality? Do you think he is overly cynical, depressed, etc. . . .?
I think Harry, and many of the other characters as well, were much more human in this book. The gut-wrenching emotion was present and it really stepped things up a notch. Harry is the archetypical hero, and there's a lot of baggage that comes with that role. He's also a teenager. The mix could be deadly!
3. Do you think Order of the Phoenix is appropriate for children 13 and younger? Why or why not?
If kids want to read it and enjoy reading it, I think that's wonderful. There were some great vocabulary words!
Many younger children will be overwhelmed and lose interest I'm sure, but I don't believe in holding children back when it comes to literature.
4. List your five most hated characters (either in Book 5 or the whole series, non-humans can be included).
1. Umbridge
2. Fudge
3. Lestrange
4. Percy
5. Marcus Flint (this one is surely influenced by the movie)
5. Percy turned away from his family. Will he come crawling back to them now or . . .?
I hope so, of course, but I think Rowling might have been preparing us for his true nature all along, in preparation for some even greater wickedness.
6. What did you think of the new DADA's punishment? Why didn't Harry nor Lee complain?
It was horrifying. It really turned the tide from hating Umbridge to despising her. It was very clever on Rowling's part.
I think they didn't tell because of their pride and the sense of humiliation that comes with punishments.
7. What do you think of James and Lily now?
I was very surprised and disappointed in James. I can see Lily as being a bit like Hermione in the flashback... wanting to unwaveringly uphold the good and just, while wrestling with that teeny tiny part that just wants to join in the fun. I'd like to learn more about their dynamic. I'd also like to know how their image became so more noble. Was it a fame thing only, cause of their deaths? Or was it because people wanted Harry to think of his parents as amazingly wonderful people? Hagrid, for one, seems to paint a different picture.
8. Has your opinion (which is probably not too good) of Petunia Dursley changed? If yes, how so?
It hasn't changed necessarily, but I am more intrigued by her. I wonder if her issues with the wizarding thing are just pangs of jealousy.
9. What's the meaning of Snape's nickname in your opinion?
Drippy, greasy, slimey... pretty straight forward.
10. What do you think of the character death? Do you think s/he will return?
I was sad for Harry, but I wasn't really effected by the loss of Sirius at all. I was never as impressed by him as I was by Lupin.
I thought maybe instead of the ghost thing, Sirius would live on in a portrait or something. How do people elect to live on in portraits? I mean, if someone painted a picture of him, how would his essence choose to reside there anyhow?
11. Do you think fanfiction will be hurt by Book 5? Do you see any new pairings arising? Do you see any huge ships falling apart?
The only fics that I personally see as being effected are ones involving Sirius.
I know there's lots of chatter about how H/Hr, and R/Hr, and H/G and all sorts of other combos just couldn't work now, but I don't really see why. People change, their dynamics change. Just because H/Hr are the best of friends now, and act more like brother and sister, doesn't mean that a romance (even if merely a brief one) couldn't someday spark between them. I know many people who married "friends" after long years of "not dating". I'm not saying I'm a complete H/Hr shipper or anything. I just enjoy the multitudes of possibilities, and I don't see many as being ruled out.
The slashy subtext was so much fun in this book too! It didn't extinguish any candles for me in that department either. Just because a pairing isn't going to ever make it to canon, doesn't mean that it isn't fun to think about.
12. What was your favourite chapter in Order of the Phoenix? Why?
I'm not sure yet. I haven't digested enough to choose.
13. Talk about Fred and George's "flight."
Very liberating. It clearly illustrated that everyone experiences moments in which they truly shine, even those who choose gag gifts over diplomas. Respect can be earned by even the most unlikely people.
14. Give some thoughts on Ron.
Ron is my favorite student and always has been. I was so proud of him when the he finally broke his steak of bad quidditch luck. Awww.
15. What did you think of Dumbledore's explanation?
Maybe it rambled a little, but sometimes old people ramble. They have a lot to share... there's so much information stored inside of him... just waiting to be gleaned. I was glad to have some of the secrets revealed. It was about time some mention was made of why Harry had to return to the Dursleys' every year (although the explanation was indeed vague and lacking). I adore Dumbledore, because I'm in love with the Merlin archetype. I think it's lovely that he showed his human side as well. I'm so glad he didn't die.
16. Do you feel satisfied by this book?
It's sad whenever you finish something you've anticipated so very much, but all in all I think she did a great job of providing her readers with another excellent story.
17. How anxious are you now for Book 6?
I'm anxious, but I don't mind waiting a couple of years if I have to. I want to digest this book throughly and really get to know it.
1. Describe in five words or less how you feel about Order of the Phoenix. (your initial reaction)
Relieved, Intrigued, and Satisfied
2. What are your feelings on Harry's personality? Do you think he is overly cynical, depressed, etc. . . .?
I think Harry, and many of the other characters as well, were much more human in this book. The gut-wrenching emotion was present and it really stepped things up a notch. Harry is the archetypical hero, and there's a lot of baggage that comes with that role. He's also a teenager. The mix could be deadly!
3. Do you think Order of the Phoenix is appropriate for children 13 and younger? Why or why not?
If kids want to read it and enjoy reading it, I think that's wonderful. There were some great vocabulary words!
Many younger children will be overwhelmed and lose interest I'm sure, but I don't believe in holding children back when it comes to literature.
4. List your five most hated characters (either in Book 5 or the whole series, non-humans can be included).
1. Umbridge
2. Fudge
3. Lestrange
4. Percy
5. Marcus Flint (this one is surely influenced by the movie)
5. Percy turned away from his family. Will he come crawling back to them now or . . .?
I hope so, of course, but I think Rowling might have been preparing us for his true nature all along, in preparation for some even greater wickedness.
6. What did you think of the new DADA's punishment? Why didn't Harry nor Lee complain?
It was horrifying. It really turned the tide from hating Umbridge to despising her. It was very clever on Rowling's part.
I think they didn't tell because of their pride and the sense of humiliation that comes with punishments.
7. What do you think of James and Lily now?
I was very surprised and disappointed in James. I can see Lily as being a bit like Hermione in the flashback... wanting to unwaveringly uphold the good and just, while wrestling with that teeny tiny part that just wants to join in the fun. I'd like to learn more about their dynamic. I'd also like to know how their image became so more noble. Was it a fame thing only, cause of their deaths? Or was it because people wanted Harry to think of his parents as amazingly wonderful people? Hagrid, for one, seems to paint a different picture.
8. Has your opinion (which is probably not too good) of Petunia Dursley changed? If yes, how so?
It hasn't changed necessarily, but I am more intrigued by her. I wonder if her issues with the wizarding thing are just pangs of jealousy.
9. What's the meaning of Snape's nickname in your opinion?
Drippy, greasy, slimey... pretty straight forward.
10. What do you think of the character death? Do you think s/he will return?
I was sad for Harry, but I wasn't really effected by the loss of Sirius at all. I was never as impressed by him as I was by Lupin.
I thought maybe instead of the ghost thing, Sirius would live on in a portrait or something. How do people elect to live on in portraits? I mean, if someone painted a picture of him, how would his essence choose to reside there anyhow?
11. Do you think fanfiction will be hurt by Book 5? Do you see any new pairings arising? Do you see any huge ships falling apart?
The only fics that I personally see as being effected are ones involving Sirius.
I know there's lots of chatter about how H/Hr, and R/Hr, and H/G and all sorts of other combos just couldn't work now, but I don't really see why. People change, their dynamics change. Just because H/Hr are the best of friends now, and act more like brother and sister, doesn't mean that a romance (even if merely a brief one) couldn't someday spark between them. I know many people who married "friends" after long years of "not dating". I'm not saying I'm a complete H/Hr shipper or anything. I just enjoy the multitudes of possibilities, and I don't see many as being ruled out.
The slashy subtext was so much fun in this book too! It didn't extinguish any candles for me in that department either. Just because a pairing isn't going to ever make it to canon, doesn't mean that it isn't fun to think about.
12. What was your favourite chapter in Order of the Phoenix? Why?
I'm not sure yet. I haven't digested enough to choose.
13. Talk about Fred and George's "flight."
Very liberating. It clearly illustrated that everyone experiences moments in which they truly shine, even those who choose gag gifts over diplomas. Respect can be earned by even the most unlikely people.
14. Give some thoughts on Ron.
Ron is my favorite student and always has been. I was so proud of him when the he finally broke his steak of bad quidditch luck. Awww.
15. What did you think of Dumbledore's explanation?
Maybe it rambled a little, but sometimes old people ramble. They have a lot to share... there's so much information stored inside of him... just waiting to be gleaned. I was glad to have some of the secrets revealed. It was about time some mention was made of why Harry had to return to the Dursleys' every year (although the explanation was indeed vague and lacking). I adore Dumbledore, because I'm in love with the Merlin archetype. I think it's lovely that he showed his human side as well. I'm so glad he didn't die.
16. Do you feel satisfied by this book?
It's sad whenever you finish something you've anticipated so very much, but all in all I think she did a great job of providing her readers with another excellent story.
17. How anxious are you now for Book 6?
I'm anxious, but I don't mind waiting a couple of years if I have to. I want to digest this book throughly and really get to know it.