Readers POV/ was Writers Fiat

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 124741


Tonks wrote: 
"I am beginning to think that the difference in the personality type 
of the adult reader makes a difference in how the books are 
interpreted.  I am an Intuitive Feeling type, so I guess one would say
that I read the books like a child would." 

Lupinlore answered:
"That is a very interesting theory, Tonks.  However, I also test
reliably as Intuitive (INFP of all things) and yet our approach
differs vastly. "

Del replies:
Another INFP here. And yet I seem to remember that I have both agreed
and differed with both of you on occasions.

However, I did notice something. When I read the books, I am very much
like a child. I don't think, I just feel. This is one reason OoP was
such a bad read for me, because I strongly dislike feeling anger, so
Harry's anger was very hard on my nerves. But once I get on the forum,
I start thinking, and this gets me into troubles, because my reason
and my feelings don't necessarily agree.

One big example is Harry himself. As long as I read about him, I like
him very much. I suffer with him, I rejoice with him. I don't
necessarily get angry along with him, but that's still OK. However,
once I start thinking, analizing Harry, then I start disliking him. I
start disagreeing with things he said and did, I start finding faults
with him where I didn't see any when reading.

Weird.

Tonks wrote:
"Also I have been thinking about the way that a person reads the book.
By this I mean that I think some people identify with a specific
character and when something happens to that character it is as if it
is happening to that reader as well."

Lupinlore commented:  
"Good point.  I think that may be why some readers identify with Harry
while others are so strongly interested in one or the other of the
adults."

Del replies:
Or one of the other kids! I personally identify most with Hermione and
Ron. Hermione is the brainy kid, the know-it-all that I tried so hard
not to be when I was a kid (hum, I still try, as a matter of fact).
And Ron is the sidekick, the faithful friend to whom nothing
exceptional ever happens, but who is always there to help those to
whom things do happen, and the socially awkward who is not even aware
of their own feelings. Hermione and Ron combine most of my major
traits, while Harry has none. So while I can follow Harry, I can't
identify with him, but I identify very much with his friends (which
also explains why I resent Harry so much for shouting at them unfairly
in OoP: because I feel he is shouting *at me*, even though I am
totally supportive of him when I read).

My head hurts :-)

Del