The Weasley Clock

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 134862

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, CariadMel at a... wrote:
> 
> The descriptions given previously of the fascinating clock in the 
> Burrow, was that of a free-standing grandfather clock( I think!)
> 
> However in HBP ch5, UKed.p87, the clock with its hands all pointing to
> 'in  mortal peril' was in the washing basket, and  it says earlier 
> that Molly had taken to carrying it around with her. 
> 
> Isn't this a bit hard given the size if the thing! Except of course it
> may mean just the dial, but I can't picture that !
> Annette.


bboyminn:

You are right, this is an inconsistency.

Here are the two mentions of the clock that I could find -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Sorcerer's Stone - (sorry, no page numbers or versions)

"The clock on the wall opposite him had only one hand and no numbers
at all. Written around the edge were things like Time to make tea,
Time to feed the chickens, and You're late. "


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Goblet of Fire -

Mrs. Weasley glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. Harry
liked this clock. It was completely useless if you wanted to know the
time, but otherwise very informative.

It had nine golden hands, and each of them was engraved with one of
the Weasley family's names. There were no numerals around the face,
but descriptions of where each family member might be. "Home,"
"school," and "work" were there, but there was also "traveling,"    
"lost," "hospital," "prison," and, in the position where the number
twelve would be on a normal clock, "mortal peril."

Eight of the hands were currently pointing to the "home" position, but
Mr. Weasley's, which was the longest, was still pointing to "work."
Mrs. Weasley sighed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


In the first reference, the clock is a wall clock, although we don't
necessarily know if it is THE CLOCK in question. You will note that
this first clock has only ONE HAND, and is filled with more general
references to times and tasks. In the second reference, it clearly is
the 'Mortal Peril' clock with NINE hands and it is referred to as a
'grandfather' clock. 

I have always suspected that there is more than one clock, but
regardless of that, JKR does seem to have mixed them up. Besides, if
the hands are always on Mortal Peril then what is the point of looking
at it. I see no advantage to Molly carrying it around.

I'm sorry to say, that while the recent book (HBP) did reveal some
important information, it did move the overall story forward, and did
have a couple of startling events, I didn't get the impression that is
was well written. My test is how captivating the books is. Captivating
implies a 'can't put it down' books. I found it very hard to stay
interested, I found a lot of the dialog and narrative comfusing, and
overall would certainly not rate it as the best in the series. 

I AM glad I bought it and I am glad I read it (twice), and I fully
intend to follow the series to it's end. But, in general, I found the
story a little flat and hurried. Sorry, but that's the way I see it.

Steve/bboyminn