Inside Dumbledore's Brain, but I digress.

[B Arrowsmith]

No: HPFGUIDX 79637


Laura wrote:
 >>
I think you're reading too much into DD's behavior. I can support
the theory that DD's increasing fallibility is a manifestation of
Harry's growing maturity. But I don't see evidence of anything
beyond that. And I would be surprised if JKR was trying to enlarge
her world beyond what she describes. We'll just have to wait for the
last 2 books to find out what the story is, though.

I may not agree with everything you propose, but I sure do enjoy
reading your posts. Rock on, Kneasy!
 >>

I probably am reading too much into Dumbledore, but it's fun to 
speculate on the motives behind behaviour that seems incongruent.
Just accepting everything at face value is  not an option for those 
with a devious, sneaky, Machiavellian (even sly!) outlook on life.
Suspicion of motives allows for an expansion of the playground, a 
chance to try and out-guess the author; irresistible in a series so  
long and so detailed.

How often do we get an opportunity like this?

A work in progress, no-one leaning over your shoulder to say "Oh, it 
was all right, but I didn't like the ending." Characterisations that 
almost parallel familiar fictional constructs, but with enough of a 
difference to add the zest of uncertainty. A plot that branches and 
sub-divides into a delta of conjecture. So long as one stays within the 
bounds of existing canon, (a wide and surprisingly elastic limitation), 
the possible plot interpretations depend only on your own ingenuity. 
And then we get to do it all over again when the next book is published!

Of course, many of us will have to shamefacedly shovel our pet theories 
into the bin, hope no-one checks the back-posts and pray that fellow 
posters are sporting enough not to refer to the disaster that is our 
speculative record. There's little that is more fun than watching 
someone going out on a limb, only to see Nemesis, in the shape of JKR, 
come along and saw it off. That it has and will happen to so many of us 
only adds to the communal enjoyment. A quiet hum of satisfaction 
pervades the site. "Never did like that idea," you reflect smugly. 
"Told you so!" As De La Rochefoucault observed, "For true happiness it 
is not enough to succeed, your friends must also fail." Cynical, but 
with a grain of uncomfortable truth. At HPfGU it should be re-written: 
"True happiness is contemplating the myriad of ways in which everyone 
can be wrong."

In real life nobody enjoys being wrong. It's uncomfortable and one of 
the criteria for failure. Not here. Posters almost revel in it. "OK, I  
was wrong, but it was such fun I'm going to do it again." The mistakes 
don't matter. What does matter is the good feeling that comes when a 
new slant on some aspect of the stories gels in your mind. Then you 
have the masochistic pleasure of seeing it torn to shreds by a ravening 
horde of analytic piranha. Just wait awhile, it'll be your turn to 
return the compliment soon enough.

The books speak to each reader in a different voice; for some it is the 
emotional development of a teenager, for others - a tale of stout deeds 
and derring-do; a melting pot of possible romances; a fascination with 
minutiae; drama; humour; a world of wonder. Each bring their view to 
the site giving insights to others that may not have been considered 
before. (As a cynic, I think that it is this that distresses some of 
the mainstream writers. So many books classed as 'modern literature' 
have but a single 'message'. "This is important," they say, "and I'm 
going to pour it through your eyeballs until it squirts out of your 
ears." Yuk. Do they believe we can't think for ourselves?) Those fans 
who love Science Fiction will be familiar with the distinction between 
the 'Danes (the munDane) and the imagi-Nation. Not much doubt which 
tribe the posters on HPfGU owe their allegiance to.

The spectrum of fans is a wonder in itself. From obsessive LOON to 
free-wheeling FF enthusiast; from teenager to pensioner (getting close  
myself), no problem - log on, see what entertains you today. It's  a 
rare day when something doesn't catch your fancy. The diversity is the 
safe-guard against Fan-aticism, no in-group imposing their (perfectly, 
immutably, correct) cultish beliefs on poor unsuspecting members who 
joined with the mistaken idea that they were going to enjoy themselves. 
Your paraphrasing of Voltaire is proof positive of the success that the 
Elves have nurtured.

How did I get here? I started with Dumbledore and end up  with elves 
and Voltaire. Is this a cause for concern, I ask myself. Probably not. 
Where's the fun in thinking in straight lines?

Kneasy 
    

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