DD's dilemma + owl post

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 126387


SSSusan previously:
> > My main point to Lupinlore really was.... 
 
Lupinlore: 
> I accept your correction and bow humbly to receive my appropriate
> chastisment.  :-)

SSSusan:
No, no, not at all, Lupinlore.  You weren't in need of correction as 
much as I wanted to offer clarification. :-)


Lupinlore:
> You know, I wonder if we might not be dealing to an extent with one 
> of those cultural disconnects to which Pippin alluded upthread. 
<snip>  As I have said before, part of his speech in OOTP that might 
> be supposed to come across like sympathy and remorse reads to me, 
> and I believe to some others as "You survived and you're healthy 
> kid, so you don't have a right to complain.  Shut up and take it 
> like a man."

SSSusan:
I think you may well be right about this.  Or it may be a combination 
of how you responded to Jen and this issue.  IOW, Jen is happy with 
the package that has come from JKR, whereas you & some others would 
prefer to see more detail in area X or more explanation in area Y.  
Different strokes for different folks.  Add this to a possible 
cultural disconnect, and I can see where distress comes in for some 
readers.

As for me, I'm more in Jen's camp over the lens through which we look 
at the books, as well as being able to enjoy them (by & large) just 
as they've been given to us.  My thoughts about DD in the OoP speech 
were *between* Pippin's and yours, though.  I don't see DD as 
as "stiff upper lippish" as some other male British literary 
characters, but I definitely couldn't imagine him emoting all over 
the place either.  I *do* see that single tear as indicative of a lot 
from a man who isn't likely to do a lot of crying.  

So much of it, I think, still hinges on whether you are able to 
believe that DD did what he *believed* he *had* to do regarding 
Harry's life from 15 months to age 15.  If you do, then the degree of 
sadness & remorse he showed to Harry is likely satisfactory.  If you 
do not -- if you're looking for a complete justification of why he 
did what he did, where he now believes he screwed up -- then I can 
understand that the scene would ring hollow.

Siriusly Snapey Susan, who will add, for the sake of the owl post 
part of the subject line, that she thinks owls' magical ability to 
locate recipients is reflected in magically changing addresses on 
envelopes.