Emotional Impact of CoS

[Megan]

No: HPFGUIDX 27521


> To be honest, the book I have the biggest problem plotwise is 
> Prisoner. 
> 
> (Well, I suppose it does slightly annoy me that GOF doesn't really 
> have a plot - it rambles and then it suddenly and illogically jolts 
> to an end. But that's another arguement).
> 
> I don't care if it was revealed cleverly through Hermione or not - 
> using time travel to solve all the big problems at the end has to be 
> the biggest let down and cheat ever. It completely undermines a lot 
> of events in the books - and Dumbledore's excuse for why it can't be 
> used (and even more so that they let Hermione use it despite that) is 
> just ridiculous.

I understand how time travel can seem like the "cheap" way out, but
the method in which they used it was crafty, you have to admit. 
Personally, POA was my favorite plot-wise (then again, I suppose I am
a bit of an angst fan).  I don't see how it "undermines" the events in
the books--perhaps you could elaborate more clearly on that.  

Upon more thinking (namely, me sitting here at my computer and looking
at what I'd written really hard), the plot of POA does seem a little
weak.  What is it based on, really?  Harry's mysterious gifts--and
what really happened to Sirius Black?  COS' plot was a development of
mysteries surrounding the attacks on students.  POA was less of a
mystery and more based on Harry discovering more and more details of
his parents' (father's) life and demise.  Yes, POA has a climax,
building action, all that mumbo-jumbo...I suppose it comes as a matter
of perspective...if you see a plot as in involving a mystery (isn't
the proper English-class definition a "problem"?) then POA can be
arguably "weak" in plot structure (and I suppose GOF falls into this
category??), while PS and COS would remain strong.

-Megan (who has just torn apart her favorite book!!)