Corrected: Protections on Privet Drive & Put-Outer (LONG)

[ecuman24]

No: HPFGUIDX 36909

Cindy writes:
> Yes, we have speculated about Harry's protection quite a bit.  A 
few 
> months back, I started wondering if the Put-Outer might have 
> something to do with the protections on Privet Drive.  Most of what 
> follows are my thoughts from that discussion, with a few new 
tidbits 
> tossed in.
> 
> So.  Why does Dumbledore uses the Put-Outer to extinguish and 
> light the lamps on Privet Drive.  Why doesn't he just use a wand?  
Is 
> this just because JKR doesn't yet want us to know about wands?  Or 
is 
> something else really important going on?  And why does JKR, a 
master 
> of inventing clever names like veritaserum and pensieve, resort to 
a 
> clunky name like Put-Outer?
> 
> Then, when I went to see that Hollywood-production-that-we-are-not-
> supposed-to-discuss-on-this-list, I observed that a big chunk of 
> valuable time is used watching Dumbledore use the Put-Outer in a 
> rather slow and dramatic way.  Why is so much attention (in the 
book 
> and movie) devoted to the Put-Outer in one of the crucial opening 
> scenes?  Why has there been no mention 
> of it since, even though we sometimes see teachers (Lupin and 
> Trelawney) dim or ignite lights at Hogwarts?

I have mixed feelings to this post.  Its a very well written and 
thought out conversation.  But any here goes:  I don't think you 
should be worrying about too much about how much "screen time" 
and "page time" the Put Outers get.  Remember, that this is a book 
and the first book of a well thought out, spider web plot, kind of 
world.  An author ( and a director) need to introduce this world in a 
controlled but tantalizing manner.  The Putter Outer was a clever 
tool by JKR to slowly introduce and spark our minds and imagination.  
Remember, at the time she did not know this was going to be a huge 
hit.  Mostly everything written in the first chapter was for intro 
and drama.  BUT... you do bring about some good theories, one of 
many, about Harry's protection.

Juan