[HPforGrownups] Lupin's Reactions

[Pen Robinson]

No: HPFGUIDX 47263


> Carol Bainbridge wrote, in part:
>>
>> I think JKR used the word "strange" for a
>> reason here.  Why not "tense" or "strained"
>> or "weary" or some such word?  Any of which
>> would have made more sense if what Lupin is
>> feeling is only concern for Harry.  Actually,
>> now that I think more about it, I think the
>> second instance (page 239) might indicate
>> more than concern for Harry.  But then
>> maybe it's just that Harry said Voldemort's
>> name and we know that makes wizards and witches
>> a bit nervous.  Or maybe that's just what JKR
>> wants us to think.
>

I think that JKR wanted us to be very wary of Lupin.  On my first 
reading of PoA I took him at face value, and liked him very much.  On 
my second reading, I couldn't believe I hadn't had him pegged for the 
villain first time through!  There are all sorts of ambiguities around 
Lupin.   'Strange', in the above instance, is more ambiguous than 
'strained', etc.   The obvious baddie of the book, Sirius Black, is of 
course not the actual baddie.  But the actual baddie might very well 
have been Lupin, whom Harry likes and trusts (Moody, anyone?), but who 
is presented with... hmm, elusiveness.

Pen