Chapter Discussion: Chapter 21, The Eye of the Snake

[ladyramkin2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 102988

Dicentra:  Why oh why does the kiss take place off-stage?

Perhaps JKR is following the example of her much-admired Jane Austen. 
OK, so it wasn't the custom in Jane's day for unmarried persons (or 
married ones, for that matter) to display physical affection in 
public, but Jane goes to unusual lengths to prevent us seeing even 
the mildest dalliance between her heroes and heroines. We have to 
follow Mrs.Morland out of the room in Northanger Abbey and aren't 
allowed to see the reunion between Catherine and Henry.  Worse, in 
Emma, we get fobbed off, in describing Mr. Knightley's proposal, with 
this very odd phrase:

"What did she say? - Just what she ought, of course. A lady always 
does."

I find it hard to forgive Jane for that.  I don't really mind about 
missing a snog between two teenagers.  Don't like Cho much anyway.

Sylvia