Hermione, Winter's Tale and plot clues

[Leanne Daharja Veitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 44489


Subject: Re: Hermione and The Winter's Tale

Judy Ellis wrote:

<<This is a carefully thought out and intelligent observation.  "A
Winter's Tale" inspires speculation.   I found this hypothetical
plotline intriguing but had to take exception to it, because, in
order to work, it would have to contradict Rowling's established
plotting patterns.  Her plot clues are never blatant.>>

I'd have to disagree with this last statement. JKR's plot clues are
actually very blatant at times - it's the actual *reading* of the story
that creates the twists of a mystery novel. Take names, for example. I
remember reading PA and when I heard the name 'Sirius Black' I  thought
of a black dog. And when Harry  overheard the Weasley's talking about
Black, I was immediately thinking " 'Sirius Black' - black dog -
hmmmm?", having associated the dog at Privet Drive. The association
became clearer as the novel progressed, as did the obvious fact that
Lupin (*lupus*) was a wolf or a werewolf (I thought wolf at first, then
changed my mind when Snape set an essay on werewolves!)

So JKR can be very blatant about clues throughout a plot - you just have
to look for them! I saw absolutely no clues whatsoever in my first
reading of PS, though - I was so deserately turning pages to see what
happened next that I didn't read the book properly! After PS I knew
better, and read the other three books carefully, finding clues
throughout - which made the conclusion of each story even more
satisfying :-)

Daharja XXX