HPforgrownups Re: What do you like best about the HP books?

[ellejir]

No: HPFGUIDX 72482

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Marianne wrote (in a much 
longer and interesting post):

"A lot of people think that none of the Slytherins are more than two-
dimensional, and that Draco has not progressed at all as a character 
over the last several books.  I personally have a real problem with 
how Sirius' characterization has changed from GoF to OoP. 
And, there is the question of how JKR seems to think she has written  
characters, judging by what she says in interviews, with how readers 
perceive the same characters.  <snip> 
Well, are those readers missing the point, or has JKR not written 
those characters well enough to make people see them the way she 
purportedly does?
I'd give JKR no more than a C+ or B- for characterization."

Me:
Whoa! You *sure* are a tough grader!  I would give her *much* higher 
marks for her characterization.  Yes, the Slytherins are one-
dimensional, but they are merely supporting players in the drama, 
and, as has been pointed out by others, we are viewing them through 
Harry's eyes.  For every one-note character like Crabbe and Goyle we 
have two or three Gryffindors with distinct personality traits--think 
Neville, Seamus, Fred and George (OK--the latter two are like one.)  
I must confess that I happen to *like* the unrelenting nastiness of 
Draco, and I hope that he never changes.  (Not every evil character 
has to evolve into a good one.)  As for the characterization of 
H/H/R, IMO that is what makes the story tick.  The adventure parts 
and imaginative parts are brilliantly written, but I love the 
interplay between the trio.  It is Harry's relationships with Ron and 
Hermione that bring humanity and a sense of the real world to what is 
essentially a fantasy tale.
As for JKR's stated interpretation of a character being different 
from some reader's perception of that character, this may be an 
example of how rich her characterization actually is rather than a 
point for criticism.  I think it is fascinating that there are so 
many Snape and/or Percy-lovers out there, when Harry (the lens 
through which we view the story) hates them both.
 
Elle   (No Umbridge-lovers out there though, are there??  There is    
some unambiguous characterization for you!)