Deus ex Machina

[cynthiaanncoe at home.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 26992

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., caliburncy at y... wrote:
 
> <vbg> It was the Authorial Theory of Misinformation, actually (the 
> explanation of the term "limited omniscient" narrator was a 
seperate, 
> though related affair).  No, I haven't forgotten about it, but it's 
> been on my back burner, because of circumstances at the time and 
it's 
> extraordinarily daunting length.  I will try very, very hard to get 
> myself in gear to compose and post it.  No one would be more 
annoyed 
> than I if I were to bring it up and then never actually fully 
explain 
> it.  But I also refuse to make promises, lest I should be hit by a 
bus 
> tomorrow or something.
> 

That's OK, Luke.  If you don't get around doing a piece on Authorial 
Theory of Misinformation, why, I'll have a go, and the result will 
be  . . . well, completely wrong.  There.  That ought to motivate 
you.  <bg>

OK.  Now I'll take the exam, using Dumbledore saving Harry from 50 
foot fall off of his broom.

First Criterion -- Immediate, Impending Doom (tm):  Yes, Harry would 
suffer life threatening injuries had he fallen from his broom from 
this height.  Even if the ground were really, really muddy.

Second Criterion -- Hero can't save himself:  True, as he's 
unconscious, or nearly so.

Third Criterion -- Salvation through an external force:  Fulfilled, 
as we weren't even told Dumbledore was at the match until he rushed 
forward to save Harry.  It was an incomplete save, however, as Harry 
still landed in the hospital.

So then, for extra credit, why does JKR write this scene to have 
Dumbledore save the day like this?  Surely she knows that she will be 
criticized for a contrived rescue like this.  Why not just have Harry 
fall from a lower height, get hurt, and get mended? Or just have 
someone else do the rescue (Madam Hooch?) or establish Dumbledore's 
presence for some valid purpose?

Cindy