The OOTP Gripe List, v. 5,432

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 126081


Okay, this is just an attempt boil down some of the most recent posts
in terms of character development as represented in OOTP.  I'm not
necessarily arguing for any of these interpretations, I'm just trying
to collect everything together for discussion if people so desire.

The characters whom people object to are:

1) Dumbledore.  Many people found him OOC in the last book. 
Particularly they found his decisions and actions implausible and
sometimes downright unbelievable in light of his previous actions and
characterization.

2) Harry.  I think all of the people involved in this latest set of
discussions agree that his anger was believable.  However, he seemed
to have curious (and, some suspect, authorally convenient) lapses in
smarts, particularly not bothering to open the mirror -- and I would
add that it seems contrived that neither Sirius nor Remus mentioned
the mirror during his firecall (as in, why aren't you using the
mirror, Harry?).

3) Ron.  His development seems contrived to some, and perhaps even
offensive, since he was elevated to a position he had not earned at
the expense of Harry, who had earned it.  In particular it seems
forced and manipulative as it seems designed to fulfill a
foreshadowing we had been assured was not a foreshadowing.  That is,
we were specifically assured the Mirror of Erised did not foretell the
future.  If it did foretell the future, even by coincidence, then the
whole thing smells of poorly conceived contrivance.  Some also object
to the fact that Ron's Quidditch triumph, which he certainly HAD
earned, took place "off screen," thus once again making the sudden
eminence of his character seem hollow and forced.

4) Ginny.  Her shift in personality came out of left field, and leaves
many people feeling that JKR was playing fast and loose with her
character in order to move her overnight into position for some future
role, quite possibly as Harry's love interest.

5.  Hermione.  She seemed shrill and unsympathetic to some people, and
many object to the fact that she was always right.  This last trait
was especially grating, as it leads many to believe she was
essentially a clumsy insertion of JKR herself into the text.  It also
raised doubts that Hermione will undergo any kind of maturation in the
next two books.  After all, how can she learn much-needed humility and
respect for non-intellectual gifts if she's ALWAYS right?

I think that about sums it up.  Like I said, just trying to pull all
the topics together for convenience and further discussion, if anyone
so desires.


Lupinlore