Refreshing Innocence of HP Preteens

[rainy_lilac at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 24701

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., fourfuries at a... wrote:
<snip>
> Because sex is not important to the plot!

Well, one could say the Quidditch is not important to the plot if you 
want to be really extreme. So whaddya say we cut out EVERYTHING that 
is not directly related to the main conflict. Now! And stop smiling!

It might not be important to the main plot, but sexual feelings and 
romantic longings are both important to the emotional depth and 
growth of the characters. Let's think about all the myriad of reasons 
why we like Harry Potter: I think an essential reason is simply that 
we LIKE the characters. They are real and down-to-earth. They have 
turbulent emotions just as we have.

There are already plenty of romantic subplots at work in JKR's books, 
and like it or not, the characters are growing up and experiencing 
all kinds of feelings, including sexual ones. What was the point of 
the Yule Ball after all? JKR's treatment of these subplots runs from 
the serious to the humorous, and it is all important. It doesn't have 
to be graphic or "lurid" to be there.

--Suzanne