HP/children's literature -- Draco

[Penny & Bryce]

No: HPFGUIDX 25092

Hi everyone --

Trying to distill points made by bbennett (hi, kindred spirit!) and 
bente on the issue of how to categorize the HP books.  Hmm...

I think Bente's point is that the books are *about* children (Harry is a 
child and the stories are told from his POV largely and they are about 
issues he faces); therefore, they are childrens' books.  I, and I think 
Bbennett will agree, think that this doesn't account for the progression 
of the series.  Yes, in PS/SS, Harry is a child.  The story is told from 
his POV, and for the most part, the narrative is concerned with issues 
he, Ron and Hermione face in their first year at wizarding school.  But, 
the later books get considerably more complex, and I don't think the 
subject matter is limited to the issues of a child.  OoP brings the 
prospect of the entire wizarding world coming unhinged -- definitely the 
stage is set at the end of GoF for a war or serious conflict within the 
wizarding world.  Children are affected by war, as are we all.  But, 
Harry will be mature beyond his chronological years in OoP IMO.  In any 
case, I'm not sure Bente's categorization fully reflects what is 
indisputably the case: in book 7, Harry & Co. will be full-fledged, no 
kidding adults.  My argument is that GoF crosses the line for sure into 
adult literature, and the latter 3 books promise to go even further.  So 
... how to categorize the *series*.  Is it a "childrens' series" just 
because Harry was 11 when it all started?  Seems short-sighted to me.  I 
*don't* think the NY Times gave this much consideration by relegating 
the entire series to the childrens' list, but I think they'll be forced 
to give it some thought later as their error becomes clear.  <eg>

Bottom line: If the categorization of literature as adult versus 
childrens hinges on the nature of the subject matter as Bente argues, I 
still don't think this places the HP series within the bounds of 
childrens' lit.

DRACO -- Lots of good thoughts on Draco -- I see Heidi & Cassie jumping 
in with some good arguments for his possible redemption.  I'd add a 
point that occurred to me as I was listening to CoS this afternoon. 
Another piece of evidence that Draco isn't in on his father's 
activities: he mistakes the Diary as Harry's in the hallway after 
Harry's bag splits open (before the Singing Valentine).  If he knew what 
the diary was & that his father had planted it on Ginny, he wouldn't 
have been so keen to try & taunt Harry with it.

I've been influenced by some of the great fanfic writers out there (so 
sue me!), but I too will be disappointed if Draco just turns out to be a 
flat cardboard cut-out of an evil git.  That doesn't seem to fit into 
too well with Jo's overall messages IMO.

Penny