Perspective in the Potterverse: Draco's development

[davewitley]

No: HPFGUIDX 38821

Penny Linsenmayer wrote:

> Switching to Pippin:
> 
> <<<Try to re-create the Potterverse from another character's point 
of view and you confront the fact that much of Rowling's world is not 
realistically rendered after all. 

The Slytherins aren't there to be redeemed. They aren't real enough 
for that.>>>
> 
> Not yet perhaps.  So many questions; so much opportunity for 
further development.  Stress "opportunity" for further development.  
Whether JKR will have the time or inclination to do so is another 
matter .... but I think this could be at least a subplot in OOP.    
> 
>Why can't Draco be developed as a complex Slytherin or am I 
misunderstanding your point?
> 
I think the point is that there always has to be *some* background in 
any story.  Each question addressed will raise new questions, in the 
nature of things.  So *some* of the questions we would like answered 
are bound not to be, no matter how long the books become.

However, one of the unusual features of JKR's writing is the way that 
characters who start out purely as one-dimensional cartoons (if such 
is possible - do I mean two-dimensional?) - that is to say, clearly 
signalled as 'background' or 'symbolic' and turn them into something 
more.

A good example is Dudley.  In the first three books he is allowed to 
eat as much as he likes, and is somewhere described as being wider 
than he is tall, something I'm pretty sure is a physical 
impossibility that isn't credibly the subject of speculation (unless 
it's an indication of latent magical ability?).  Suddenly, in GOF, 
reality is allowed to intrude, and he is forced to diet, one crucial 
consequence of which is that we see the seeds of real conflict in the 
Dursley household for the first time.  He steals Vernon's breakfast, 
for example.

Other examples are Fleur, who moves from haughty eye-candy to 
concerned sister, probably Arthur Weasley, and almost certainly 
Ginny.  If Bagman returns, he will have expended his capital (in more 
ways than one!) as dodgy sportsman and will require re-invention as 
covert Death Eater.  Others like Trelawney and the Creevey brothers 
may well remain locked in their two-dimensional state.  FLIRTIAC (see 
hypotheticalley.htm in the admin files here for an explanation of 
this) notwithstanding, I have my doubts about Filch, though Mrs 
Norris reeks of backstory.

It is certainly technically possible for Draco to be made more 
complex without a re-alignment with Harry, and I for one would 
welcome such a development, but the cynic in me agrees with Pippin 
that he is doomed to turn good if he is to be developed as a 
character.

I assume Pippin has thematic reasons also for saying he must change 
sides first, as well as, I think, implying that not doing so would 
interfere with Harry's role as POV character.

David