[HPforGrownups] JKR's priorities and how they affect interpretation

[Brian Yoon]

No: HPFGUIDX 31971

David Frankis said:

> I perceive her priority order to be:
> 1. Development of the plot, and solving the associated mystery of the
night Harry was attacked.
> 2. Character development/revelation of a few key characters: Harry, his
parents, Riddle, Snape, the Dursleys, probably Hermione and Ron, possibly
Hagrid, Percy, Draco, Neville, Ginny, probably not much more significant on
Lupin or Sirius. Some wildcards such as the older Weasleys, McGonagall,
Pettigrew.
> 3. Development of the relationships between a few key characters: Harry
with Dumbledore, Snape, the Dursleys, Hermione, and Ron; Hermione with Ron;
Dumbledore with Snape. Possibly Harry with Ginny.
> 4. Semi-random generation of a fun wizarding universe, using (in common
with fanfic authors!) a great many pre-existing components from an
incredibly eclectic variety of sources.

How about scenes where it _seems_ like something else?  The scene that comes
to mind is the scene in CoS when Lucius and Mr. Weasley duke it out.  It
_looks_ like character development of Mr. Weasley's willingness to fight for
the family honor, or the fact that Draco didn't fall too far from the tree,
but in fact is a bit of plot development, where the Riddle diary is placed.

I definitely think you're on the right track, but this idea can hardly be
applied to all the series.  JKR has a lot of tricks up her sleeve, I'm sure.

Brian Yoon
aka Seiryuu