Time-turning as literary device (was: Just a comment about Lupin's malady)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 108508

Lorel wrote:
>>> I get the sense that the theme or device of Time isn't played out 
yet. The rescue in PoA provided the setup, and the clock in the DoM 
was a reminder as well as (IMO) a hint of more to come. I just 
*really* hope there's more to it than a cheesy "out." <<<
 
vmonte:
>> Yeah, I agree with you, it's definitely going to return. Be warned
though, some HPFGU's get really upset when you start talking about
time-travel. For some reason it's ok to have theories that are not
based on canon as long as they are not about time-travel. <<
 
HunterGreen:
> I don't know about them returning, personally I think the whole 
> thing in PoA with Harry saving himself from the dementors and 
> rescuing  Sirius and Buckbeak and all that was enough. Sort of like 
> the huge polyjuice plot in GoF being enough use of polyjuice as a 
> narrative device.

Valky:
> I mean no offense by this as you are generally one of my favourite
> posters Hunter, but isn't that statement an exaggeration?

> Just *how much* timetravel have we actually had in the series. 
> TWO CHAPTERS in um..... over a hundred! It's barely a full
> percentage of the entire series and yet there is *already* too much?

> Please, I have absolutely no idea where anyone gets the notion that
> time travel has been overextended in the story.

> It sounds to me like personal bias.

> Now don't get me wrong, I *am* biased in favour of more timeturning
> because I have a scientific and adventurous mind. I don't mind a
> challenging paradox myself, its good exercise for me. 


SSSusan:
With all due respect, Valky, I'd call it "personal preference" 
or "personal opinion" and not "personal bias," as the latter strikes 
me as a negative phrase.  I would be VERY happy indeed if there is no 
more use of time-turning or polyjuice.  And it's not the quantity of 
chapters in which they've been used.  It's because of what 
HunterGreen said:  they were used as a narrative device, and once is 
enough for some of us.

For some, these parts of the storyline are fun, adventurous and a 
challenge to figure out.  For others, they feel like "deus ex 
machina"--almost like a cop-out.  "How can I get X to happen when 
it's really not very likely or possible?  Oh, I know--I'll use time-
travel.  Or maybe I'll allow one person to be disguised as another 
for an entire year."  

Do you see what I mean?  They WERE creative ways of getting from 
point A to point B or of solving a dilemma.  Many people felt they 
were fun, too.  But to rely on them again [and that phrase shows my 
slant, I know] would feel like a cop-out to some of us.  PoA is my 
favorite of the books so far, but the time-turning was the part that 
was weakest *to me*.  [Interestingly, Cuaron's treatment of it felt 
clearer & more exciting than the print version for me....]  

ANYWAY, it all boils down to personal preference.  What Lorel said 
originally I totally agree with--no "cheesy outs," please!  If the 
device is going to be brought back, I hope it's a really fresh, 
creative use of it, otherwise I will likely be disappointed.

Siriusly Snapey Susan