Uncovering the Hidden Pattern of the HP Books

[pennstgrle]

No: HPFGUIDX 93462

Kia wrote:

> Generally I am rather wary of such mathematic patterns in 
> Rowling's works. Before OotP Harry got unpopular in every Book 
> with an even number. By this logic, he should have been Mr. 
> Popular in Book Five, but he wasn't. 

Jaimee writes:

That's not entirely true, Kia. In book 1 the students don't really 
know how to take Harry. At first they are very curious about him, 
even wary of him. Harry is a living legend to them, and they treat 
him with awe. ("Awe" might be the perfect word--mixture of wonder, 
respect, reverence, and fear.) The students watch him,...Snape and 
Malfoy mock him. I don't know if that exactly equates popularity as 
much as spotlight.

Now, when Harry starts winning Quidditch, he becomes quite a hit 
with Gryffindor. But, when Harry, Hermione, and Neville lose 50 
points apiece for the Norbet Night, Harry quickly becomes very 
unpopular among his fellow Gryffindors, as well as the Ravenclaws 
and Hufflepuffs who want to see Slytherin dethroned in the House 
Cup. 

So to say Harry was Mr. Popular in PS/SS isn't entirely accurate.

And his popularity could be argued in PoA too. The students once 
again are wary of him because (1)he faints when the dementors come 
around and (2)Trewlany keeps predicting his death. (Do they ever 
really hear that Sirius may be after him? If they do, it is late in 
the book--at least after Sirius cuts open the hangings around Ron's 
bed.) Now, the adults--Fudge, Lupin, the Weasley's, etc--are paying 
attention to Harry because they think Sirius escaped to kill him. 
But I still would call this spotlight, as opposed to popularity.

Don't know why I felt the need to make a point here :) Just wanted 
to show that Harry is treated pretty much the same in every book--
with a mixture of like and dislike, admiration and skepticism, 
wonder and fear.

Sorry this ended up wordy!

Jaimee