Real characters & persuasive argument

[pippin_999 <foxmoth@qnet.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50437


> Amy:
> 
> > Let's take a really, really obvious example instead of a 
> > subtle one like whether Ron and Harry are on balance 
> > inconsiderate idiots. Let's say someone is trying to 
> > explain (<g> not persuade anyone else) that Snape strikes 
> > her as a particularly kind person.


Elkins:
> Amy, I think that you are still misunderstanding the
> nuances and subtleties of the conversation that had
> actually been taking place, before it became diverted
> into a defensive exchange over whether people's readings
> are a by-product of the long wait for OoP, whether 
> people were or were not "trashing" characters, and so
> forth.
> 
> This really frustrates me, not least of which because I 
> feel that the arguments of the posters were *themselves*
> rather badly mischaracterized -- dare I even say 
> "flattened?" -- by this digression.

I think there are two different styles being used on the list, which 
results in confusion or unfulfilled expectations. One is a sort of 
essay question response, as in "Lupin is Evil. Discuss" in which 
the poster would marshall both pros and cons before drawing a  
conclusion. 

The other one is like a position paper for a debate: "Resolved: 
Lupin is Evil --The argument against," which would present only 
one side. The poster's expectation would be that listees who 
disagree would respond with their own position, and the original 
poster could then offer a rebuttal.

 I don't think the choice of discussion style has anything to do 
with the wait for OoP, or the desire to "flatten" the characters. For 
my part, ESE Lupin is not an attempt to flatten him...rather the 
reverse. I was unsatisfied with the characterization and 
development of Lupin in several respects. 

Why was the reason he didn't take his potion and conveniently 
left the activated map in his office not addressed in the text?

 When Trelawney's voice goes from misty to crisp, we 
understand that the mistiness is an act. What are we to make of 
it  that Lupin's voice alters suddenly from calm to steely, a steely 
voice that Harry has never heard from him before?

Why does Rowling make Lupin and Sirius so similar?

Those were all things that bothered me before I came up with 
the ESE theory. I admit I presented it rather gleefully, and in a 
one sided way, but the glee came from solving one of Rowling's 
mysteries in advance (I think!), not "trashing" the character.


 As for the one-sidedness, there are  plenty of posts in which one 
can read what a good person Lupin is, and I did invite other 
people to present the opposing views. I think they can do a much 
better job than me , since I have become so convinced that I 
doubt I could present the other side fairly. For example, I had to 
edit the line above, because I put "paragon of virtue" instead of 
"good person" <g>

Pippin