Characterizations: Rowling vs. Steele

[Jim Flanagan]

No: HPFGUIDX 8017

Although I'm not a great reader of fanfic, I notice that a lot of 
what I have encountered tends toward the Romantic variety, a la 
Danielle Steele. 

JKR shows herself to be an exceptionally talented writer by *not* 
taking the "easy way" of focusing on hormone-driven plot devices. I 
suppose the fact that HP is supposed to be children's literature has 
something to do with that as well. Nevertheless, it seems to me that 
writing complex characterizations must be far more demanding than, 
for example, describing a kiss that is "not too wet, not too dry, and 
with just the right amount of tongue," as I read in one HP fanfic 
recently.

JKR appears to be developing many of her characters at multiple 
levels, albeit slowly.  Here are some of my thoughts on her better 
(i.e., more complex) characterizations:

Snape is the first character that comes to mind with respect to 
complexity, but we have yet to see more than an inkling of his other 
side.  I'm still holding out for the possibility that his behavior 
toward Harry is just a ploy for Voldemort's benefit. I'd like to know 
that he's more than just a colicky 8-year-old in a man's body.

Harry has most of the conventional characteristics of a kid's book 
hero. However, he sometimes displays a hard edge, and can be too 
quick to judge, characteristics perhaps acquired while living with 
the Dursleys. I was very glad to see him buckle down and work in the 
last book -- this shows that he is maturing and growing more 
responsible. Maybe he'll even stop to read "Hogwarts, a History."

Ron displays typical adolescent bone-headedness, but we get to see 
loyalty, courage, and humor as well. I think that JKR writes his 
character particularly well (I knew kids just like him in school). I 
know that people here have written that Ron is one of the *least* 
developed characters, but I think that JKR's writing accurately 
reflects Ron's level of maturation.

Hermione is alternately a bookworm, a perfectionist, a rebel, and a 
girl who doesn't mind saying "pee" in front of boys. I don't fully 
grock her character yet -- like Harry and Ron, she has more growing-
up to do before she is as developed and interesting as she could be. 
[Here's an evil thought: Hermione as Minister of Magic, with a stay-
at-home husband named Dennis.]

Hagrid, the cuddly bear figure, drinks too much, sometimes uses poor 
judgement, has been to prison (twice!), cusses, and violates the laws 
against harboring dangerous creatures whenever it suits him. He is 
perhaps one of JKR's most extensively described characters, and far 
better developed than an equivalent character in Narnia, for example.

Filch is an excellent character for a second-stringer. I loved the 
Quik-Spell scene, which showed how his insecurities contributed to 
make him what he is. JKR obviously decided that inventing a 
relationship between him and Mrs Norris (F/MN) was not necessary in 
order to sell more books at the 7-11.

Dumbledore, for me, remains one-dimensional in his role of providing 
the polar "good" in the story, just as Voldemort provides the 
polar "evil." Dumbledore is quirky and he makes mistakes, but he has 
*no* vices. Even the charge of moral relativism for allowing Harry et 
al to violate school rules can be dismissed because "it's for the 
good," an old fairy tale standby. Maybe a mild dose of Danielle would 
pep him up a little.

Finally, I think that Draco is a fairly well-developed character 
already, but has a lot more room for growth (and not just so that 
he can fit more snugly in his leather pants). I hope JKR will take 
his character in an interesting direction.

-Jim Flanagan
[in his sweat-stained jerkin, flexing his rippling biceps]