In Defense of PoA

[Megan]

No: HPFGUIDX 27527

> <*struggles to re-group*>  Um, well, you see, Time Turners are so 
> hidously important and valuable that they can only be used for 
> mundane things like taking extra classes.  Otherwise, the world would 
> tip right off of its axis, you see, and we can't have that.  So 
> that's why Hermione is allowed to have it for something mundane like 
> studying, but McGonagall would have slammed a door in Hermione's face 
> had Hermione asked to obtain a time turner directly to assist in the 
> defeat of the most terrible Dark Wizard who ever lived.

*ah yes, the agony of criticizing POA!*
I still maintain that POA lacks a focal point.  In fact, that is the
pivotal point (I believe) of the difference between the first two
books and the last two.  PS and COS had a SET and DEFINED plot/focal
point.  There is no confusion what the story is leading up to (yes, I
do know that this falls under a difference of mystery vs. adventure),
whereas in GOF and POA, several things are going on at once.  Can we
really pinpoint the climax and resolution of POA at all?  You said it
was the Quidditch Final...personally, I think the "plot" (as defined
as a plot) has to have something to do with Sirius Black (after all,
isn't he the CAUSE of the complications?).  THAT is the point.  The
fact that there IS a disagreement as to the plot--it should be obvious
to the basic reader, or am I wrong?

>Time travelling in a story that isn't based on it - in a plot that 
>isn't based on it - when its introduced out of the blue (and no, 
>Hermione's schedule doesn't count) just feels to me a lot like 
>cheating. Bit Deus Ex Machina as well, really.

As to Time Turner: in a normal situation, time travel IS cheap.  I
have to agree with Cindy that JKR manages this tricky situation rather
 well.  I think it works.  By NOT making the turner a point IN the
story makes it all the better--it's unexpected.  Well, I guess it
boils down to this (for me)--what ELSE could she have done?  Is there
REALLY any other way for them to have rescued Sirius? (and yes, Sirius
had to be caught somehow--pivotal elements in novel--also must be
resuced for GOF to be plausible)

-Megan thinks about tackling GOF another day...or letting Jon do it,
since he's so much better at it.