[HPforGrownups] Names

[Jodi Bailey]

No: HPFGUIDX 39971


----- Original Message -----
From: "archeaologee" <JPA30 at cam.ac.uk>


> One of my favourite things about HP is the use of language,
> especially JKR's ear for how words sound.

Me too, it's the thing that first got me hooked.

> there is a staggering
> exception to this rule.
>
> Ron WEASLEY.
>
> Weasley is a bad name for a good guy.  A weasel is not a nice (or
> well regarded) animal.  Why would JKR do this.

This reminded me of something from one of the Scholastic chat transcripts
( http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/author/transcript2.htm ) - Rowling
says her favourite animal is the otter. Weasels belong to the same family as
otters, polecats and stoats, which all fit in with the place the Weasleys
live - Ottery St. Catchpole, the River Otter, Stoatshead Hill... So would
this indicate some significance of this whole group of animals, some
symbolism of the weasel with the connection of the place names being
incidental, or just Rowling making a stand against anti-weasel prejudice?
;o)

    Jodi (New to this list, and hoping this post isn't just stating the
obvious - I'd never noticed the connections before, at least...)