Incomplete Prophecy

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 107332

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mz_annethrope"
<mz_annethrope at y...> wrote:
> -- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "esmith222002" <c.john at i...> 
> > wrote:
> > > It appears to me that Dumbledore did not allow Harry to hear the 
> > > whole prophecy. 
> > 
> > Angie agrees:
> > 
> > Looks that way to me, too.  I know we are reading what Dumbledore 
> > heard Trewlawny say, but the purpose of ellipses is to indicate 
> > something has been omitted.  ...edited...
> 
> 
> 
> mz_annethrope has another idea:
> 
> The prophecy in PoA also uses ellipses: "TONIGHT...BEFORE 
> MIDNIGHT...THE SERVANT...WILL SET OUT..." and so on. I don't think 
> there's meant to be any omissions here. Ellipses can also be used to 
> indicate faltering speech, or so my Chicago Manual of Style 
> indicates. I think something like that is happening here, but 
> instead of faltering speech we get big dramatic pauses. Four dots 
> probably indicates the end of a sentence.
> 

Asian_lovr2:

Thanks, I've been waiting for someone to finally bring this up. The
'dots' do indeed represent pauses in speech. And as you also pointed
out, a fouth 'dot' is a 'full stop' at the end of a sentence.

When antiquated constructs of style fall short of the needs of modern
writing, we have to adapt what we have to fit what we need, and the
ellipsis as a pause is one of those adaptations. 

You will notice that JKR also uses what I call the 'double-dash' or
'—' (as opposed to '-' which is shorter) for dramatic pauses. In some
cases she creates pauses using both in the same sentence. I'm not use
what the correct name is for the 'double-dash' or what it's standard
application in Style is.


> mz_annethrope continues:
>
> I, for one, have always favored Snape as the one who overheard part 
> of the prophecy. I have no idea why, just intuition I suppose. Or 
> maybe it's because I think he smelled a rat--without knowing it was 
> Peter--and informed Dumbledore. It seems to balance, but I haven't a 
> shred of evidence for it. A lot of other people here seem to favor 
> that notion as well and they probably have better explanations.
> 
> I just read Steve's comment about why the prophecy might be useful 
> and I thought it credible. It's number 107237.
> 
> 
> mz_annethrope

Asain_lovr2:

I've always assumed the character overhearing the Prophecy was a
character of no significants. 

However, if it was Snape, this could have been his turning point. At
the time he overheard, no one knew who the Prophecy-person was. It
could be that Snape reported the information, then later discovered
that it was the son of Lily Evans—Potter. 

We were shown Lily defending Snape in 'Snape's Worst Memory' scene,
and we could speculate that that was not the only time. Despite his
outward animosity, inwardly Snape might have greatly appreciated Lily
defending him like that; a very selfless and considerate act. 

When Snape finds out that Voldemort intends to kill Lily's son, Snape,
out of appreciation, may have gone to Dumbledore to try and protect
Lily and Harry.

Having said that, I'm not sure if I can extend it to Snape's
unrequited love for Lily. I've never been a big fan of that theory.
But, none the less, that doesn't stop Snape from having a deep liking
for Lily and a great appreciation for her consideration and compassion
toward him. 

I have more thoughts on the matter, but don't want to let this post
get too long.

Steve/asian_lovr2