The Half-Blood McGuffin

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 126587


McGuffin-
Definition: in film, a plot device that has no specific meaning or
purpose other than to advance the story; any situation that motivates
the action of a film either artificially or substantively; also
written MacGuffin

Etymology: Alfred Hitchcock's term, based on a story where this device
was used in a story set on a Scottish train


I'm curious to what extent previous book titles limit the nature of
the Half-Blood Prince.

In previous books, the title element (Harry Potter and '_insert
element here_') has for the most part been the McGuffin in the story.
It is not necessarily relavant in and of itself, but it, the 'title
element', has been the thing, the excuse, that carries the story
forward while the truer and deeper elements play out in that framework. 

Philosopher's Stone
Chamber of Secrets
Prisoner of Azkavan
Goblet of Fire
Order of the Phoenix
Half-Blood Prince

In each case, the 'title element' is the plot framework, but, in the
end, is not really a key story element in and of itself. 

The Stone drove the plot, but in the end was destroyed. 

The Chamber now lays long forgotten. 

The Sirius-the Prisoner drove the story, but the thing of value in the
end was Sirius-the Godfather. 

The Goblet of Fire symbolizes the Tri-Wizards Tournement which made up
the plot but neither the Tournement or the Cup have any lasting or
on-going significants. 

The Order perhaps should have been 'HP and the Cutting Quill' or 'HP
and the Toad Witch' as the McGuffin seemed to be more Umbridge than
the Order itself.

Now the 'Half-Blood Prince'; if this McGuffin theme is carried
through, then the HBP has to be the vehicle that carries the story
forward, and provides the framework for more important themes to play out.

If the HBP is a historical figure such as Merlin, Gryffindor, Salazar,
or other, I don't see how the on-going framework of the story can be
woven around that. Unless somehow the legend/tale/story of the HBP can
create this framework. I take that as a stretch though. The Legend of
the Chamber of Secrets, helped find the real Chamber, the true key,
but I don't see how the legend of Merlin or Gryffindor can lead to
anything directly related and tangible by the end of the story.

So, I suspect that the HBP must be a real-time figure, that is, a
living person. It's easy to see Harry or Tom/Voldemort in that role,
both half-blood, both significant characters, both with yet untold
backstories, both with yet unfulfilled destinies, but JKR has already
ruled them out. 

Can we speculate whether the HBP will be antagonist(bad guy),
protagonist(good guy), or neutral? Of course, we CAN specualate, but
can we find any foundation for that speculation?

One of the most likely candidates is the new DADA teacher, or if Snape
teaches DADA, then the new Potions teacher. And how do Felix (what's
his name), and the Lion-Man fit into the picture? If we really want to
dig deep, could Theodore Nott or Blaise Zabinin be our McGuffin? 

As long as we are speculating, it the 'Prince' most likely to be
symbolic or true European Royalty? 

All, I've done is ask a big question and added very little, but I'm
curious how this HBP=McGuffin idea alters the possiblities for the
HBP, and am open to any speculation others might like to add.

For what it's worth.

Steve/bboyminn