[HPforGrownups] Re: Crookshanks reprised: Observations and Etymology

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 16659

Haggridd wrote:

> Wonderful textual investigation, thank you!  Wouldn't your citations
> equally support the possibility that Crookshanks is an unregisterd
> Animagus, though?

Well, if he is, he's been one a damn long time---I'm not sure I could
eat a spider for any reason, even in cat form.

I just think that Animagi, like the polyjuice potion, is a plot device
that has been done unto death. Every smart animal in these books is not
an animagus. From the point of view of an author, especially one fond of
unexpected twists, I'd be stupid to use the same mechanism more than
twice before I gave it a nice, long rest.

I also think that JKR is indeed adhering to her own view and plan for
the books, and not bending to any commentary or criticism--but I think
she took the charity schoolbooks as a God-given opportunity to answer
some of the commentary without impinging on the narrative itself
(witness the number of witches in the history of Quidditch, a possible
nod to those wanting more female prominence). I think she also used the
schoolbooks to give us some hints. They read, to me, like enormous
in-jokes, and I can't believe she didn't put any "inside" information
that we'll need in future for them.

Aside from the lion-tail, the description of kneazles reads pretty much
like a description of Crookshanks, so I think the supposition that
Crookshanks is part-kneazle is more likely than the animagus
possibility. I'm tired of finding that all the cool animals are really
just people. I want cool animals. Just like I don't want to know that
the cool stuff about Harry (and it's been postulated, Ginny) is a
transplanted Voldemort talent; I want them to have their OWN cool
talents.

--Amanda, who really *must* go kill that black widow in the mailbox
before Jan gets home and checks the mail....


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