Defend OOTP against my horribly Muggle mind!

[Karen]

No: HPFGUIDX 76361

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "feetmadeofclay" 
<feetmadeofclay at y...> wrote:
> Dear Grownups... 
> 
> I have a question to ask of those here... And of course this 
> assignment is optional.  I just want to know what all you (whom I 
am 
> sure are intelligent insightful adults) have to say against me.  I 
> know not all people agree.  Afterall I hate pineapples but liking 
> pineapples isn't bad... But hear me out and respond if you like.
> 

It is okay to have a differing opinion! Otherwise we'd all agree and 
there'd be no room for discussion.

Although I don't expect to necessarily change your mind, I would 
like to point out a couple of things that might help you understand 
the opposing views... :-)

Cliches, hackneyed phrases, trite expressions; these are the way we 
often talk. In general, we are not Faulkners or Hemmingways in our 
everyday speech. One of the reasons for this is that a well-worn (to 
use a hackneyed phrase) cliche often provides more meaning. It is 
something that everyone can relate to and understand instantly. 
Originality is prized, but frequently is not as communicative. One 
of my favorite books and TV series, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the 
Galaxy" Talks about the Volgon ships hovering over the 
Earth "exactly the way bricks don't". Very original, very funny, but 
not something that is instantly understood. 

That being said, there is a phrase in the first chapter of OoTP that 
struck me as especially poetic:
"Almost as the though this thought had fluttered through the open 
window, Vernon Dursley, Harry's Uncle, suddenly spoke."

What a great visual image! The idea of a thought fluttering around! 
This isn't the only poetic imagery in the book, just a phrase that 
really caught my attention.

I've heard a few others complain about OotP, but I look at it as a 
setup for a very large battle to come. I do suggest you re-read it 
if you haven't already. The first time through I was anxious to see 
what would happen. The second time, I took my time and read more 
analytically. There are several key scenes that I think will be 
important later on. There are key themes that are also played out in 
this book that I also expect to be crucial to the final chapter.

Karen