close reading of DoM scene - presupposition alert

[samnanya]

No: HPFGUIDX 83436

jwcpgh
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OOP pg 805 --- "Only one couple was were still battling.... Harry 
saw Sirius duck Bellatrix's jet of red light: He was laughing at 
her. "Come on, you can do better than that!" he yelled, his voice 
echoing around the cavernous room. The second jet of light hit him 
squarely on the chest."
 
Laura
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When we were talking about the prophecy, I argued that JKR doesn't 
twist the plain meanings of words.  She uses misdirection, 
foreshadowing, red herrings-but they're all plot devices, not 
grammatical or denotational alterations.  So when she refers to a 
second jet of light, there must be a first, and since no one else is 
fighting at that moment, the only jet of light that could be the 
second one is the one Sirius just ducked-the one from Bellatrix.

samnanya (me)
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That is the presupposition trap!   Just because JKR
hasn't done it before doesnt mean that she won't do
it now. Same logic trap (though more hidden here)in 
assuming that Kobe Bryant can't be a rapist because
he always was a fine citizen before.
THe only jet of light that could be the second one 
is any light that came from someone BELOW or (less
likely imho) ON the dais - I dont see how anyone can
make a definite provable statement that the light
came from Bellatrix' wand  based on JKR's description
of the scene. All JKR had to do to prove it conclusively 
was substititue "Her second" for "The second" and about 
100 posts would disapparate.

On a side note, I am also that JKR is not giving
interviews  because she is in a dreadful predicament
if she does - lie to her fans or give away yet
another plot clue when people are so close..... If
I were her I would be as secretive as Kreacher's 
getaway plan.... 


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