Black and white and read all over.

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 117324


Nora wrote:
> > I speak only for myself, but some of us are *gasp* actually more
interested in little things like analysis and interpretation than 
plot speculation--that is to say, it's really a matter of interest
what it means and how it fits together, in addition to the (perhaps 
mere) question of what's going to happen.  As such, it's interesting
what the actions of a character might mean or be read as, rather than
simply the actions that they take in the plot itself.  There are
perhaps hidden joys for the theorist to be found in interpretation, 
as well--when you have some idea what a character is about and what he
represents, you can start to rank your guesses about future and past
actions a little more intelligently.
> >
> 
> Kneasy:
> Huh. And what are you going to do with these wonderful analyses and
interpretations? Sit tight and then declaim on your insight when all
is finally revealed? In this instance analyses and interpretations are
tools to lever open the plot structure, not ends in and of themselves.
Because quite frankly I think that many of the current interpretations
are misleading or plain wrong. All the information is not yet in,
things will change, surprises will be sprung. However, for sure JKR
has cunningly slipped in clues and pointers (along with a barrel-load
of red herrings) and they're not just intended for her own
entertainment, that much she admits. She *expects* us to take up the
challenge of perhaps beating her to the draw. She doesn't think we'll
do it, but that just underlines the challange IMO. Sitting meekly
waiting to be spoon-fed is not something I'm comfortable with. I don't
mind being beaten, I don't mind being wrong, but doing nothing is not
acceptable. It implies that one is happy not to think, that existing
canon is the be-all and end-all of HP so close down and put your mind
in neutral. 
> 
> Now if after analysis and interpretation we progress to
extrapolation based on conclusions drawn and possibilities considered,
then things can get very interesting. Not necessarily right, but
certainly more fun than sitting twiddling our thumbs waiting for the
next book to come along and tell us what to believe.
> 
Carol responds:
Speculation (including conspiracy theories) is certainly fun now, an
enjoyable way to fill in the long hiatus between one book and the
next, but once the seventh book is in, the plot will be revealed and,
after numerous complaints from all sides about unsatisfactory
resolutions and plotholes (because there's no possible way for JKR to
fulfill anyone's expectations but her own), the conspiracy theorists
will have nothing more to do. (Good luck finding another series in
progress that offers as much meat as this one!)

But those of us who are interested in analyzing the characters'
motivations and relationships or interpreting themes, symbols, motifs,
atmosphere, setting, narrative technique, and all the other elements
of a literary work will be able to look at the series as a completed
whole. Rather than being finished with the books, setting them aside
now that all our yes-or-no, good-or-evil questions have been answered,
we'll be able to make a fresh start in understanding the HP books and
their significance. "What it means and how it fits together" will
still be relevant ten or a hundred years from today; puppetmaster!
Dumbledore and Secret agent! Peter will be, if not dead in the water,
at least dead horses that no longer need to be beaten as soon as the
seventh book is in our hands.

Carol, who hopes that the younger list members will still be civilly
debating the meaning of the books and fitting the pieces together in
2050, when Snape is Headmaster of Hogwarts ;-)