write a novel just to save the world
I just finished all of the Harry Potter books last night. And I realize that I only read HBP once before, which is probably not good enough for me to form a working theory or even fully-informed opinion of how I feel about the books.
I agree with Allison: Cedric Diggory's death was a real turning point for the series. I actually think at this point, JKR's writing style improved. I also think it marked the ascention to adulthood for the series, although I still maintain I wanted to throttle Harry throughout Order of the Phoenix. Which, the more and more I read it, is a really layed piece of work. I hate Umbridge. I love the Weasley Twins. Ron's sense of humor suddenly becomes more developed. It's interesting.
Anyway, the real thing that I want to ponder here is Snape, so if you've gotten to this point of my entry and you haven't read the 6th book and would NOT like to know (hahaha and go back and live under your rock, buddy), then stop. Now. Like Otto says on like, page 8. Yay random Theories jokes.
The second time through, I think I've decided that Snape is either evil or infinitely more complex than I gave him credit for. The first time I read it, I was adamant that Snape was a good guy, that Dumbledore pleaded with him to kill him because he didn't want Malfoy to go through with it because he's simply not a killer. I still don't think Malfoy's a killer -- I think that he might agree with a lot of the pure-blood stuff and all that (haha oversimplifications ftw), but after the portrayal in HBP, I'm not sure he's got it in him to be a true Death Eater. Anyway...he made the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa...for what? Because he wanted to trick Bellatrix? Or because he geniunely wanted Dumbledore dead? Were the lines of hatred and loathing on his face just prior to shouting the killing curse...were those for Dumbledore or the actions he knew he had to carry out to continue to stick close to Voldemort? Ugh.
But if he's bad, why did he tell the Order that things were going down with the Hall of Prophecy? Simple plot device? WAH! Also, I somehow thought that the whole thing between Ron and Hermoine was more explicit then it was...I somehow missed it this time if it was.
Also: RAB = Regulus Black? Deathly Hollows = Godric's Hollow, where Harry's parents died?
This is all much more worthwhile than Greek tragedy, I'll tell you what.
I think I appreciate the last three books a lot more. The characters became a lot more nuanced, and maybe that's because they've had a few books to develop, but I feel they've gotten a lot better. I think Neville should be a bigger character, and you totally know that the kid who plays him in the movies must be loving the expansion of the role of his character! But I was sad to see that there wasn't more development of him kicking ass with the DA. Yes, he's super socially awkward but he was also gaining a lot of ground in OotP.
And I still dislike Petunia for being completely unempathetic. The Dursleys are a lot like the Malfoys, imo. They both care a lot about apperance and where when comes from rather than the actual character of the person. Typical.
I am such a nerd.
I agree with Allison: Cedric Diggory's death was a real turning point for the series. I actually think at this point, JKR's writing style improved. I also think it marked the ascention to adulthood for the series, although I still maintain I wanted to throttle Harry throughout Order of the Phoenix. Which, the more and more I read it, is a really layed piece of work. I hate Umbridge. I love the Weasley Twins. Ron's sense of humor suddenly becomes more developed. It's interesting.
Anyway, the real thing that I want to ponder here is Snape, so if you've gotten to this point of my entry and you haven't read the 6th book and would NOT like to know (hahaha and go back and live under your rock, buddy), then stop. Now. Like Otto says on like, page 8. Yay random Theories jokes.
The second time through, I think I've decided that Snape is either evil or infinitely more complex than I gave him credit for. The first time I read it, I was adamant that Snape was a good guy, that Dumbledore pleaded with him to kill him because he didn't want Malfoy to go through with it because he's simply not a killer. I still don't think Malfoy's a killer -- I think that he might agree with a lot of the pure-blood stuff and all that (haha oversimplifications ftw), but after the portrayal in HBP, I'm not sure he's got it in him to be a true Death Eater. Anyway...he made the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa...for what? Because he wanted to trick Bellatrix? Or because he geniunely wanted Dumbledore dead? Were the lines of hatred and loathing on his face just prior to shouting the killing curse...were those for Dumbledore or the actions he knew he had to carry out to continue to stick close to Voldemort? Ugh.
But if he's bad, why did he tell the Order that things were going down with the Hall of Prophecy? Simple plot device? WAH! Also, I somehow thought that the whole thing between Ron and Hermoine was more explicit then it was...I somehow missed it this time if it was.
Also: RAB = Regulus Black? Deathly Hollows = Godric's Hollow, where Harry's parents died?
This is all much more worthwhile than Greek tragedy, I'll tell you what.
I think I appreciate the last three books a lot more. The characters became a lot more nuanced, and maybe that's because they've had a few books to develop, but I feel they've gotten a lot better. I think Neville should be a bigger character, and you totally know that the kid who plays him in the movies must be loving the expansion of the role of his character! But I was sad to see that there wasn't more development of him kicking ass with the DA. Yes, he's super socially awkward but he was also gaining a lot of ground in OotP.
And I still dislike Petunia for being completely unempathetic. The Dursleys are a lot like the Malfoys, imo. They both care a lot about apperance and where when comes from rather than the actual character of the person. Typical.
I am such a nerd.