Book 7 predictions/oh no fluffy bunnies again

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 98208

a_reader2003 <carolynwhite2 at a...> wrote:
> I was responding to a stream of similar-sounding conclusions on the 
> outcome of the books, 
> which generally anticipated Harry surviving and finding ways of 
> enjoying his subsequent life. From this POV, I do not withdraw the 
> general intent, which was to try and change the focus from the 
> minutiae of Harry's personal life to a consideration of the wider 
> issues post VW2.
> 
> The sweep of JKR's canvas is huge, and her plot is getting darker 
> by the minute. She appears to me to be a realist and a sharp 
> observer of the human condition. I'm interested in how she might 
> handle some of the broader themes, at the same time as tying up the 
> loose ends of the characters' stories.
> 
> I am wondering what flavour we will be left with at the end. Will 
> we be left with the impression that the WW continues on in its 
> secret way beneath our feet, round the corner, if only we could see 
> it?
> 
> Or will the outcome be more serious, that even if Voldy is dead, 
> the WW is in unstoppable decline, unable to facing up to its rotten 
> ethics and sagging morality ? JKR has said that there never will be 
> a rapprochement between the WW and RL - is this bad news for the 
> WW?  What is its future in the 21st century?


Siriusly Snapey Susan:
Yes, I understand your interest in broadening the scope of the 
discussion to include more than just what will become of Harry.  I 
think it's OKAY, though, for people to choose to focus on any one 
aspect of the outcome, too, if they want--even if their preference is 
for sweetness & light.  Disagreeing about things is a big part of 
what keeps discussion moving along here; hopefully no one's views are 
actually put down or scoffed at, just challenged--or ignored if the 
reader doesn't find them worthy of... something or other.

One other comment on the sweetness & light stuff before I move on to 
where you hoped to move the discussion.  I keep coming back to the 
fact that JKR's favorite children's book is The Little White Horse.  
Talk about sweetness and light!  That book's ending is nothing BUT 
fluffy bunnies and a (group) ride into the sunset!  Realistic it is 
not; filled with darkness it is not.  JKR has stated that she hadn't 
considered she was writing children's books, so I'm NOT making that 
parallel.  JKR's books are different in content & style from TLWH, 
too, but I do wonder if her fondness for the book says something 
about her fondness for a measure of happiness in the end?  

Anyway, given what JKR has been introducing in terms of "issues" and 
societal ills and problems with the WW's governing structure & its 
mechanism for justice *and* the growing darkness that you've alluded 
to, I'm sure you're right that she will do much more with these 
issues before the end.  Will evil be gone from the WW?  Not in my 
view.  Will the MoM be totally whipped into shape and turn blind eyes 
no more?  Not in my view.  Will all prejudice miraculously disappear 
just because Voldy's gone?  Not in my view.

What I could see JKR doing is having a larger body of witches & 
wizards than before VoldyWar2 come to the realization that things 
must change and begin work on that.  Working to improve relationships 
with other magical creatures, to restructure the justice system or at 
least work to see that it becomes more consistent in practice, that 
kind of thing.  But I don't see instant, massive progress in these 
areas.  Kind of like the Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" 
incident in the U.S.  As a nation we in the US have been working on 
issues of discrimination and prejudice and unfairness for a long, 
long time and still have miles to go and many unanswered questions.  

I would see hope for change in Voldy's defeat but with it also being 
a long process fraught with conflict & setbacks.  But will JKR 
address it?  I think for certain, even though much would have to be 
left up in the air.  Since book one these issues have been present, 
and that whole fountain in the MoM implies, to me, that they're not 
going away.

Siriusly Snapey Susan...who still thinks Harry will live and, even if 
he loses his powers, will remain in the WW.