JKR's dismay at favourite fansite Slytherins

[Susan]

No: HPFGUIDX 100096

>>Kneasy wrote:

>Obviously I can't speak for female fandom (though sometimes
>I despair of it) but as a hard-core, dyed in the wool, unrepentant
>connoisseur of mayhem and dirty deeds, I will be severely 
>disappointed
>if any of this redemption and forgiveness stuff comes to pass. Why
>should it? No reason at all, so far as I can see. In fact, just the 
>opposite.
>In five books there hasn't been *one* good Slytherin. And the way JKR
>responds to the inclinations of fandom suggests that she's not about
>to alter her view of them as anything other than a thoroughly bad 
>lot.
>Splendid!

>The Slytherin/Pureblood mindset is not Voldy's doing; it was there 
>long
>before he appeared on the scene. It will still be there when (if) he 
>is
>defeated. Do you really think Bella or Malfoy would sign the pledge
>and start banging tambourines if Voldy vanished? Not likely. They
>(particularly Malfoy) might keep a low profile, but it wouldn't 
>change
>what they *thought* - and that's what counts. It would be a replay of
>the events after the first Voldy war; claims of being Imperio!-ed, of
>being misunderstood, of being coerced - right up until another
>Dark Wizard appears. Then it all starts all over again.

>JKR has pointed out, quite forcibly that Snape, Lucius, Draco are 
>most
>definitely not the way they are portrayed in the films. That they 
>have
>no likeable characteristics. Fine by me. I like ole Sevvy the way he 
>is;
>miserable, misanthropic, bitter, vengeful. Lovely. This idea that if
>only you can understand someone then they become somehow nice
>or reformable is a bit naive IMO. Get to know them better and you're
>probably going to find further reasons for hating their guts, that 
>tends
>to be my rule of thumb.

>Maybe there are a few fans who latch onto the redemption bit as
>a salve for the hankering they have for Slytherin. Perhaps they're 
>not
>really all that bad after all; they can be redeemed and forgiven.
>Excuses, excuses.
>Much more satisfying to accept them for what they appear to be
>and then revel in the final climactic orgy of come-uppances and
>balancing of accounts.

Kneasy, I'll say it yet again, you really make me laugh! :-)  You 
make us women sound like the stereotypical romantic ninnies who 
believe that showering a man with an inordinate amount of love and 
understanding will cause them to change into a completely different 
person.  Plus, there's your sheer delight with evil deeds and plots 
of revenge, etc.  And I totally agree with you about the joy that can 
be found in the, as you so eloquently put it, "final climactic orgy 
of come-uppances and balancing of accounts".  Brilliant!

I didn't know anyone thought there were redeeming qualities in 
Lucius, but that's besides the point (and yes, I have a point!).  I 
think why everyone keeps waiting for someone from Slytherine to be 
redeemed/cross over to the good guy side is because of JKR's constant 
emphasis on choices.  However, my money's on PP as far as redempton 
is concerned.  I don't think Snape and Harry will become best pals, I 
don't think Draco and Harry will indulge their secret desires for 
each other (thanks /fanfic) and I don't think any of the other DEs 
will repent at all.  I agree totally that it'll be the same as the 
last time LV fell from power.  "Who me?  A DE?  No way!  I was 
Imperio'd!"  

The only evil character I think will make any attempt at redemption 
is Peter, and that's not just because he owes Harry his life, or 
because of his involvement in his parents' deaths, or because of his 
involvement in Sirius' incarceration (;-).  I think it's going to 
revolve around his cowardice. (And as an aside, how _did_ cowardly 
Peter get to be a Gryffindor?!) Harry will save him from LV's wrath, 
and this time Peter will appreciate it and make some sacrifice of his 
own to help/save Harry.  Obviously this is purely speculation, and to 
be honest, I really don't want Harry to help Peter at all.  I would 
take delight in watching Peter get _his_ just desserts, though if 
Harry just left him to his fate, then that would be bad for Harry 
because he would have to lose his compassion for that to happen.

Susan (teilani) who likes Snape in the movies only because Alan 
Rickman does such an excellent job... not because there's something 
redeemable about his character.  (Can't wait to see him in Gran's 
outfit!)