Sirius' Mirror

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 87842

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Tim" <tim at m...> wrote:
> Athena ("linda_mccabe" <lmccabe at s...>):
> > I felt like it was there to be done to yank 
> > tears from the reader, but as for me - it made me livid.  I thought 
> > it was a terrible prop that did not fulfill its purpose.  That's 
> > because I don't think it works with the characterization of Sirius 
> > Black.
> > 
> > First off, if Sirius had such a magical device he wouldn't have 
> > given it to Harry in the manner in which he did.  He knew that the 
> > owl post and the Floo network was being monitored at Hogwarts.  
> > There was no other way that the two of them could safely 
> > communicate.  If the two way mirror worked the way that Sirius said 
> > it did, then he would have given it to Harry and said, "Ten o'clock 
> > tonight, find a safe secluded place and call out my name.  We'll 
> > talk everynight and I'll even see if I can't help you a bit with 
> > your homework."
> > 
> > Later when Harry went through the trouble of contacting Sirius by 
> > Umbridge's fire, he should have said, "Harry, why didn't you just 
> > use the mirror I gave you?  I mean, I think risks are fun and all, 
> > but I did give you something so you could talk with me."
> > 
> > I just thought it was a terrible, terrible prop that I don't think 
> > will come to bear later on like the gift knife from Sirius did. 
> 
> 
> Tim speaks:
> 
> Linda, you have hit the nails on the head. It is totally out of 
> character for Sirius not to ensure/encourage Harry to use the mirror. 
> If its only purpose is to heighten Harry's pain, then this is a 
> disservice to the reader and to the character of Sirius.  I mean 
> really, never using the mirrors or finding a way to get Harry to use 
> his is a big gaping hole in Sirius' character.
> 
> I usually wave off JKR's inconsistancies due to the fact she is writing 
> a work for children. I do not hold her to the same standard I do to 
> Tolkien.  This does not lessen my enjoyment of the books, but I do have 
> to lower my expectations a bit.
> 
> Still it is possible that there will be a later justification for 
> introducing the mirrors. 
> 
> Tim

Harry *chose* not to use it or even open the package because he was
afraid of endangering Sirius. (Sorry I don't have a page reference.)
The irony is that *not* using it endangered him. The mirror reflects
the earlier irony that Harry's attempt to save Sirius led to his
death. (Pun unavoidable.)

Carol