HP/children's literature (again)

[macloudt at yahoo.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 25149



Cedric and Fleur, both of whom were over 
> 17, 'of age' according to Dumbledore, were referred to in GoF 
> as 'boy' and 'girl'. This doesn't argue that JKR thinks of them as 
> full fledged adults; at least it doesn't seem so to me.
> 
> 
Could it be that JKR uses the terms 'boy' and 'girl' not only to 
denote that these two are not to be thought of as adults, but also to 
help her younger readers relate to the characters better?  If I were 
12 years old I would be turned off by Cedric and Fleur being refered 
to as adults.  It would also put a much greater gap between these 2 
and the younger characters; might as well have 30-year-olds rather 
than 17-year olds.  IMHO, JKR is still writing principally for her 
younger audience, rather than us old fogies.

Waving from my zimmer frame,

Mary Ann :)