Which way?

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 101764

Kneasy:
> > > *We* limit the possibilities we see, we're 
> > > the ones in blinkers.  We have defined our own boundaries. 
 
SSSusan:
> > It's interesting, isn't it?  Are these other possibilities 
> > ignored because we're oddsmakers at heart?  Because of the gut 
> > reaction factor?  Because of the "I don't WANT that to happen" 
> > aspect of it?  

Kneasy:
> Most likely it's a combination of a  number of influences, for most
> anyway.
> Tradition is probably high on most lists. "This  is the way this 
> type of story ends; always has, and  so should this one."
> Yes, "Don't want it to end that way" has also figured in some posts,
> though  it may be a variant of the "Tradition" factor. What's 
> familiar is comfortable and comforting. But JKR never 
> said it would fit any particular category.

> Some will be disappointed by a not so much simple, let's say instead
> simplistic, ending. ( For example a death would be a simple ending -
> whose death could flip the ending from simplistic to complex - in 
> the minds of the readers, anyway.) A simplistic ending would be a 
> let-down for some. They've grown accustomed to JKR's twists and 
> turns and want more; more! more, I tell you!
> For others anything other than the traditional would be a disaster.


SSSusan:
> > But how interesting that I was only thinking of those TWO 
> > possibilities:  too simplistic & sweet for one group; too dark & 
> > unhappy for another.  Interesting because, myself, I've been 
> > holding out for "elegantly simple" from JKR.  Not sugary sweet, 
> > but lovely in the way JKR can make things lovely, even if they're 
> > bittersweet & hold tragedy.  Something *brilliant* in its 
> > simplicity and yet still so unique or unexpected that we didn't 
> > see it coming.  I suspect you wouldn't use the same phrase I do, 
> > but I think you're offering out hope for something similar--a 
> > complex but not necessary negative ending, something nice and 
> > meaty. 

Kneasy:
> Meaty, yes; brilliant would be good too. Mostly I want to be 
> surprised, intrigued, thoughtful, challenged and involved. Not much 
> to ask, is  it?
> It needn't be particularly complex in the way it's written or 
> presented to be able to do that. 
> 
> Certainly the lead-up has been complex; unless there is an 
> inordinate amount of tidying up in book 6 it's it's difficult to 
> imagine a straight-forward resolution - but I'm not the author.
 
SSSusan:  
> > Sheesh--have I contradicted myself here in saying that I think 
> > you're hoping for something similar, when you want challenging & 
> > meaty (& complex?) and I'm calling it "elegantly simple"?  It 
> > seems I am, yet they feel the same somehow....  Maybe I need a 
> > nap.
 
Kneasy:
> Could it be that we both want more but can't define the 'more of 
> what'?
> Expectations not of the story but of the author?



SSSusan:
Yes.  Excellent.  Indeed, this captures it!  I loved what you said 
about how we've become accustomed to JKR's twists & turns and we want 
more!!  We don't want to get to the end and say, "All that...for 
THIS??"  

Simple vs. simplistic is a very helpful way of phrasing things, imo.  
Simple in explanation can be just fine--it doesn't have to be 
convoluted or difficult for a 9-year-old to follow.  But simple can 
also be brilliant or elegant in the way the denouement is presented 
to us.  

As you say, JKR has not PROMISED us anything.  She's NOT said "This 
is a traditional hero's journey," and in fact she HAS said "I did not 
conceive it as a moral tale, the morality sprang naturally out of the 
story, a subtle but important difference. I think any book that sets 
out to teach or preach is likely to be hard going at times (though I 
can think of a couple of exceptions)."  So I think we DO have reason 
to wonder just how "traditional" this series will end up being.

Yet I conclude with this:  JKR may not be *the* best writer out 
there, but I delight in her work, and she has given me high hopes for 
a "satisfactory" ending.  I can't imagine her letting me down in 
this, really.  I might not be totally pleased w/ what befalls 
particular characters or with the lack of resolution of a story line 
or two, but I think she will manage to bring it all together with 
more twists, turns, surprises, and hopefully (at least for me!) a few 
delights.  I don't think I care if it's a "traditional" ending, as 
long as JKR maintains her level of presenting the story so far.  If 
she does that, I'll likely end up believing that her ending 
is "right" even if it didn't contain the specifics I had hoped for.  

Hmmm.  I've had a nap.  Still not sure I'm especially clear.  Maybe 
Potioncat is right and I should switch to wine reviews....

Siriusly Snapey Susan