[HPforGrownups] Trelawney and divination

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 19094

Samaporn Teeravechyan wrote:

> >I've been someone disappointed with JKR's use of divination in the books. I
> >think she trivializes the importance it has in some religions and practices.
> >Sure, there are kooks like Trelawney, but they are exceptions, not rules. I
> >hope in future books, Harry finds someone who treats divination with some
> >respect, and shows him the way it could be.
> 
> Perhaps JKR trivialises Trelawney more than divination itself. The fact
> that she has made predictions which can be argued to be true could mean
> that she does see the future ... but is just rather weak at interpreting
> what her 'inner eye' shows her. From the way Trelawney is characterised, I
> wouldn't be surprised if the quality of her mental filter is somewhat flimsy.

Well, you have to make allowances for the poor woman.  What we've
seen of her =genuine= predictions (i.e., the one Harry witnessed
where she fell into a trance and spoke with a different voice)
suggests that this particular gift is one that strikes, well,
unpredictably, and is not under the conscious control of the
seer.  And she somehow has to make a =living= with this?  Under
those circumstances, showmanship (to give it the most charitable
name) is just about her only option.


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>