[HPforGrownups] OoP: What was the Point of this Death? And Phineas ??s

[marilyn at gehennom.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 62485

On Sun, Jun 22, 2003 at 9:32pm, Marianne (kiricat2001) wrote:
> Here's your obligatory spoiler space:
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> Did Phineas Nigellus' reaction to the news strike anyone else as 
> strange?  When Harry  arrives in Dumbledore's office, Phineas wakes 
> up and asks if there's another message for his "worthless great-great-
> grandson?"  Five pages later he says, "Am I to understand that my 
> great-great-grandson - the last of the Blacks - is dead?"

I always have a little bit difficult of a time getting in
pureblood-racists heads, but I have to say that Phineas had a great
appeal for me.  He didn't put up with Harry's melodrama, he had that
fabulous line at the end of Dumbledore's stylin' escape scene (in my sig
:) ), and I do think he cared for Sirius.  He was obligated to be snippy
about his modern liberal ways, but once he realized that Sirius is
*gone,* I think he was very shocked and upset.  Partly because of the
ending of his line, of course, but I'm sure he had his share of respect
for his reckless great-great-grandson that he didn't want to admit.

> He doesn't seem happy to hear the news, even though he doesn't think 
> highly of Sirius. Why bother repeating the lineage, the last of the 
> family business?  Why were his words no longer snotty?  And why, 
> several pages after that, does Harry notice that Phineas has not 
> returned?  I mean, who cares? Is this so Harry can ponder whether 
> Phineas and horrible Mrs. Black are chortling over Siirus' death? Or 
> is there some other meaning behind Phineas' continued absence?

I definitely was under the impression that Phineas hadn't returned
because he was wandering through the paintings throughout the house,
still in denial that Sirius was actually gone, calling his name... I
felt bad for him, anyway.  Just one other person crushed.  :(

--marilyn

-- 
http://marilyn.suburbanjihad.net/
	"You know, Minister, I disagree with Dumbledore on many
	counts...
			 but you cannot deny he's got style..."