Opening the Chamber of Secrets (on Lockhart)

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 11282

Chamber of Secrets made a poor showing in our recent poll on which HP book was favourite, but, although I would still put CoS fourth, I have to say it is only a sliver behind the others.  I've almost finished a re-read of it and it is wonderful.   

IMO, Gilderoy Lockhart is one of the most singularly unpleasant characters JKR has written and, perhaps, one of the reasons this book comes up a little short of the others.  He is so completely self-obsessed, that it becomes stifling, in spite of the humour.  Of course, he is a caricature, but he represents a kind of shallow, delusional vanity that is all too common in our convenience-driven world.  

Comments have been made about Rita Skeeter representing JKR's backlash at press intrusion (she denies it, of course). Lockhart looks to me like her dig at the publishers' early attempts to mould her media profile and other writers' jealousy at her success.  His 'bestselling author' ego is built on plagiarism and bombastic marketing, the twin evils of the publishing world.  Ironically, one part of Lockhart's confession to Harry, near the end of the book, could have been a cautionary note from JKR herself:  

"It's not all book signings and publicity photos, you know.  You want fame, you have to be prepared for a long hard slog."  

I love the scene in the staffroom when all the other teachers gang up on Lockhart.  It's a very revealing interaction and it's one of those moments that makes you want to cheer, despite the fact that Gilderoy was, predictably, heading for a fall.  Not satisfied with that scene, JKR then allows Harry and Ron the pleasure of humiliating the wretch, before he snatches Ron's wand and wipes out his ego and his personality.  

JKR sure vented some spleen on that character...

Neil 
_____________________________________
Flying-Ford-Anglia

"My wife used to sneer at my feeble charms but 
one month into your fabulous Kwikspell course 
I succeeded in turning her into a yak!  
- Thank you Kwikspell!"

[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]



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