Character Development in HBP (was: The function of Chapter Two

[Angela]

No: HPFGUIDX 138904

>Lupinlore wrote:
>Many of the criticisms of it, in fact, seem to be that the plot 
>determines the character in HBP, rather than the other way around --
>which would be more believable and better writing.

> Betsy Hp wrote:
>However, I would suggest that there's a great deal of character 
>development within HBP, not least of which involves Snape. (I, 
>myself, saw no evidence of any of the players acting out of 
>character.)
> 
Angela replies:
Even though I too believe that HBP is essentially a plot-driven 
book, as I commented in an earlier post today, I agree that Snape's 
character is given more dimension in HBP.  I like seeing him away 
from Hogwart's.  I also think we see another side of Draco.  I 
actually feel sorry for him when he's facing DD trying to kill this 
great wizard.  But other characters are given short shrift.  What 
happened to Neville and Luna and even Ron and Hermione.  Ginny is 
given more room, but I feel that was somewhat at the expense of 
other characters.  I also feel sort of sad about the heavy-handed 
treatment of Fred and George's role in Draco's plans to kill DD and 
introduce DEs to the school.  I don't anyone is suggesting that her 
characters are acting out of character by saying the book is plot-
driven, simply that the novel is propelled forward by action - 
things happening in the real world - as opposed to a character-
driven novel which may have less action, or action may be secondary 
to the inner workings or psychological and emotional development of 
a character, as in Harry in OOTP.  I was surprised that HBP seemed 
so different from GOF and OOTP in this way.  I am not suggesting 
that JKR is a poor writer by any means.  Quite the opposite - I 
don't think that Books 4 & 5 happened out of nowhere.  I absolutely 
loved both of those books.  I think that JKR had certain points she 
had to make with this book as she is nearing the end of the series, 
and she got a lot of criticism for the length of Book 5, so it is 
easier to deliver the goods with an exciting story and a good plot.  
Think of all the best sellers from authors like John Grisham who do 
just that.  The books are fast-paced and fun to read, but who really 
remembers the characters 2 months later.  Now I don't think HBP is 
as bad as that, but I had hoped for more.  

Angela