CHAPDISC: HBP1, The Other Minister

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 141805


> 1. JKR wrote on her website: 
> *******************************************
> The Opening Chapter of Book Six
> 
> I have come close to using a chapter very like this 
> in 'Philosopher's Stone' (it was one of the discarded first 
> chapters), 'Prisoner of Azkaban' and 'Order of the Phoenix' but 
> here, finally, it works, so it's staying. And that's all I'm going 
> to say, but when you read it, just know that it's been about 
> thirteen years in the brewing.
> ****************************************************
> http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=6
> 
> Does this scene work?  If so, what made it work here in contrast to 
> the other potential locations in the series?  Is it simply that 
> Fudge has more information to disseminate or are there thematic or 
> stylistic reasons to include this scene now?''

Pippin:
One of the big challenges in a fantasy or sci-fi story is all the exposition that needs to be 
done before the reader can understand what's going on. It wouldn't surprise me if JKR 
brainstormed dozens ways of getting information to the reader before she even started 
writing Book One. In that book McGonagall could ask the ignorant questions, and later on 
Harry could, but since Harry is now no longer an 'ignorant schoolboy' somebody else has 
to ask the half-wit questions on behalf of the hapless reader. 

> 
> 7.  Scrimgeour performs an overt display of magic merely to keep his 
> statement to the PM that Kingsley Shacklebolt, likely as not the 
> only person nearby anyhow, is a wizard from being overheard.  Then 
> he leaves.  Fudge, on the other hand takes no precautions whatsoever 
> and then blurts out intimate knowledge of the WW.

Pippin:
Scrimgeour is an ex-auror, and precautions would come naturally to him. As Dumbledore 
says, he takes Lord Voldemort seriously. Fudge, on the other hand, even though he knows 
now the danger is real, is still not reacting appropriately. After all, if the Ministry can plant 
agents in the PM's office, the Death Eaters can too. 

Pippin