a prodigal with some thoughts on the 'Sadness' thread

[moongirlk]

No: HPFGUIDX 32301

Hello all!

I haven't been around for several months, don't know if anyone even 
remembers me, but I've been back in the States and lurking for a few 
weeks, and once again have enjoyed the discussions so much I felt 
compelled to join in the fun.

On the subject of the sadness of the books, I agree in part with 
Harriet, who said:

<<GOF is a pivotal book - the story is lika a turning point - you 
know, how in stories it seems that the evil one has won.....but, then 
here comes good to save the day! That same theme will permiate future 
HP books!.........my thoughts!>>

I think she's right that GoF is pivotal, both to character and plot 
development.

We're at the point in the series where the kids are growing up enough 
to see that evil isn't just an intermittant problem/adventure.  In 
terms of character development, now is the time for them to see that 
the fight is constant, and so the baddies get stronger and the threat 
bigger.  But it's never hopeless.  They *are* growing, and they're 
being introduced to the greater network of good guys, seeing the 
decisions of the adults in their lives, and beginning to understand 
the nature of the fight (i.e. seeing that not choosing, a la Fudge, 
isn't a viable option).  The fact that the stakes are getting higher 
serves to motivate the characters toward the traits that they are to 
develop for, and in, the fight to come.  It also advances the plot, 
obviously.  If we are going to have 3 more books, we have to have a 
big enough conflict to fill them.  And I can't discount the fact that 
it keeps readers on pins and needles waiting for a resolution, which 
is good for selling books.  

So I think GoF is the natural point in the series where the tension 
must rise, not a signal that evil will win out in the end or that our 
beloved characters or the world they live in face doom.

That said, I do think we're in for our share of grief, but if JKR is 
to continue to tell the story she has intended to tell (as I see it, 
anyway), she can't soften the blows, and I wouldn't want her to, even 
if it means (sniff, sob! waaaail!!!) that Hagrid, or Sirius, or even 
Ron or Hermione have to die.  

I see these books as being about the decision to stand for what is 
good and right despite the risks.  That's what Neville's parents,  
Harry's parents, and many others did, and to some extent the trio has 
already done.  So the only truly tragic endings for me would be if:

1 - everyone gave up and let V take over, 
or 2 - the good guys were defeated to the point that nobody was left 
to keep up the fight.  

I don't think either of these are possibilities, and so I expect to 
be satisfied with the ending, even if it makes me cry, because I 
expect to be left with hope.  That may not be the 'don't be silly, 
they'll all live happy ever after!' kind of response Elizabeth was 
asking for after her dire feelings, but hopefully it's a little 
comforting?


kimberly, sorry for the long post, but happy to be wallowing in hp4gu 
stuff again!