grimly

[mhbobbin]

No: HPFGUIDX 114562


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kethryn" <kethryn at w...> wrote:
> 
> > mhbobbin:

/Subject: The use of the word Grimly while desribing Sirius's 
demeanor.

> > > And let it be known if you find another character with that 
> > > adverb description.It may be nothing, of course. Just an 
coincidental figure of speech.
> 
> > Mac: While I must admit to not having made the connect between 
> > 'the grim' (PoA) and Grimmauld (Grim old) place, let alone the 
> > word 'grimly' to describe a person's demeanour, I do believe 
> > JKR like any author, has a penchant for certain words.
> >
> <snip>
> > Thus, JKR's key words might be tawny, mutter and grim. I'm sure
> > you can think of others she uses that are not otherwise commonly
> > used. It's the type of thing that makes us laugh, scream, wince 
> > at fan fiction and know, instantly, that the author, has no 
connect 
> > whatsoever with the 'real' JKR.
> 
> 
> Kethryn now -
> 
> Of course, she could certainly be using the words as foreshadowing 
but I think that is a little too non-subtle for JKR.  I mean, the 
way she uses the word (and the derivations of the word) grim, that's 
kind of like taking a baseball bat, slamming it into your head and 
screaming, "Listen to me!"  Ok, so history sometimes does that but I 
haven't noticed that type of behavior from JKR as much.
> 
> Kethryn

mhbobbin:
I don't disagree with what everyone is saying. But I AM curious to 
what degree she is doing it, in this instance, with a word she has 
loaded with meaning.

A Grim is a Black Dog and Sirius is a Black Dog.
Sirius lived at Grim Old Place.
The Grim is a Death Omen.
Sirius speaks grimly. Sirius looks grim.
Sirius has Grim associations and he dies.  Some of us were 
blindsided when she chose him but there it is. 

I agree that JKR is very crafty and subtle with foreshadowing. But 
I'm wondering to what degree she's used the word "grimly" to 
describe anyone else's dialogue, or anyone else as looking "grim". I 
am curious about it. I've found that it also is used, more 
sparingly, with Lupin.

Since this group collectively probably reads every single word of 
all five books in any given week , I was hoping that if I put it out 
to the group, as they found instances of her describing a character 
as grim-faced or saying something grimly, if they'd let me know.
I'm wondering about it. Maybe it is a meaningless exercise but hey, 
no member of this Group would judge me for that, would they?

mhbobbin