[HPforGrownups] What is the use of Ch2 "Spinners End"?

[Kathryn Jones]

No: HPFGUIDX 133850

delwynmarch wrote:


> And finally my biggest concern: we did NOT NEED to learn what was in
> that chapter!! Why do we need to know ANY of the things we learn in
> that chapter? Why do we need to know about the tense relationship
> between Bella and Snape, why do we need to know about the whereabouts
> of Wormtail, and why do we need to know about the Unbreakable Vow?
> 
> THE STORY WOULD HAVE WORKED JUST AS WELL WITHOUT CHAPTER 2.
> 
> And that bothers me greatly, and it's why I do definitely think that
> JKR is playing with us.
   delwynmarch

Kathy writes:
     I think that this chapter sets up the story line for most of the 
book. It shows us a completely different side of Snape. We were given 
the impression that he had no social graces whatsoever. This is not the 
case. Perhaps it is to make us wonder why the extreme difference between 
the school Snape and the DE Snape.
     It allows us to understand that Snape is not yet in the position 
that Dumbledore wants him to be in. He is still suspected by the DE and 
apparently Voldemort is covering his bases by assigning Wormtail to 
watch and listen.
     It also lets us know that Snape would not have been accepted by 
Voldemort just on the basis of being a superb Occlumens. It suggests 
that something has been done to prevent V. from gaining access to any 
information.
     It lets us know that Snape is favoured by Voldemort and I believe 
that Snape does know what Draco's task is. It lets us know that he has a 
problem with it.
     It answers all the questions about whether or not Snape is still a 
spy, how he answered to Voldemort on his return, what Dumbledore 
assigned him as a task.
     It allows an insertion of a lie. Snape told Bella that he turned to 
Dumbledore "fresh from his Deatheater days." We know from prior 
information that he was spying for the Order prior to that time, and 
later in the book, we are told that it was when he understood what V 
meant to do with the prophecy info.
   This was one of my favourite chapters.
KJ