Deus ex Machina

[Haggridd]

No: HPFGUIDX 26972

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., cynthiaanncoe at h... wrote:
> Luke wrote:


> >  
> > Basically, I'm trying to clarify that "deus ex machina" isn't just 
> a 
> > matter of the credibility or contrivedness of the situation, but 
> > whether or not the conflict resolved itself (which is not "deus ex 
> > machina") or was solved by something else "just in the nick of 
> time" 
> > for the hero (which is "deus ex machina").  

My favorite example of this kind of thing is a turn of the century 
boys' book about the adventures of Frank Merriweather.  This was 
serialized in the pulp magazines of the day.  One chapter concluded 
with Frank tied up in a crated and buried at the bottom of an old mine 
pit.  The next issue, with the next chapter, began:  "After frank 
escaped from the pit..."  BTW, Luke, I am still waiting with bated 
breath for the "Compleat Theory of the Modified Limited Partially 
Omniscient Author"  or whatever it was.
> 
> Luke and Mike, I suppose we could say that there aren't any 
> real "deus ex machina" problems in the climax of the four HP books, 
> if I'm following the discussion properly.
> 
 There are several instances when Harry 
> was in a bit of a fix, and something or someone swooped in and saved 
> him. 
> 
> Are these examples of "deus ex machina"?  Why do some work better 
> than others?  Of the ones I listed, the only one that didn't work 
for 
> me is the Flying Ford Anglia, although I'm not entirely sure why.


That is because this is the classic example of "machina ex machina", 
which only comes into play in fiction involving the internal 
combustion engine.  This is explained further in the well known work, 
"Pistons, Gearwheels and their Effect on the Development of Dranatic 
Resolution and Catharsis", which I'm afraod is a bit too lenghty to 
reproduce here.  *grin*


> Also, you mentioned that "The intervening force 
> of '"deus ex machina"' is usually external to the conflict up until 
> the point of intervention--hence why many consider it contrived in 
> the first place."  I am wondering whether it is possible 
> to "foreshadow" one's way out of a '"deus ex machina"' problem by 
> dropping enough hints.  Perhaps my difficulty with the Flying Ford 
> Anglia rescue is that it did seem to come out of nowhere, whereas 
> Lupin warding off the Dementor seemed natural because he was already 
> there.

It is precisely this foreshadowing, the laying of a credible 
foundation, that cures the "deus ex machina." 
> Cindy (enjoying this discussion because it explains that Harry's 
> escape from the graveyard was so satisfying because he did it all by 
> himself)

Haggridd