Judging a book by it's cover (Re: CHAPDISC: HBP 2, Spinner's End)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 142225

> Carol responds:
> Aside from the escape from Harry's POV provided by the first two,
> we are allowed insights into what's happening in the WW with
> regard to Voldemort. Chapter 1 answers the question of what's
> happened to Fudge and introduces us to Scrimgeour; "Spinner's End" 
> sets up the Draco plot, providing essential information to which
> Harry is not privy, and preparing for the crucial role to be
> played by the UV in the tower scene. It also enables us to
> recognize at least some of Harry's interpretation of the later
> encounter between Draco and Snape as misinterpretation. ("Helping"
> Draco doesn't mean what Harry thinks it means.) <snip>

> Thematically, the chapters move from the WW at
> large to an important character whose relationship with Harry (as
> hiself and as the HBP) shapes much of the book, to Harry himself
> and the familiar Harrycentric point of view.

Jen: 
For me, the first two chapters ended not with the UV, but the image 
of Harry sleeping peacefully against the window. Outside the window 
political maneuverings of the adults are taking place, while inside 
Harry is 'in the dark' again, literally and figuratively. Once more 
he will be called on to interpret a major event without all the 
information needed to do so, and the chance for misperception will 
be high. It's unfair, but Harry's development and the plot 
development call for this, he needs to experience the darkness of 
misperception before the light of truth**.

To elaborate on Carol's thoughts above, we move from this symbolism 
into a story where Harry is able to connect with and understand the 
HBP in a way he's never done with Snape. Can't judge a book by it's 
cover, eh? Hehe, that sneaky JKR having Harry *change* the covers of 
the books, so that the HBP has a new cover much like adult Snape 
does. I think she was making the point that all Harry sees is the 
cover, the persona Snape puts forward, and not the real self Harry 
learned about in the potion book. The writing in the book represents 
the part of Snape Dumbledore alone is able to see and trust, 
probably due to what he told Voldemort: "It is one of the irritating 
things about old teachers. I'm afraid that they never quite forget 
their charges' youthful beginnings." (chap. 20, p. 442, Scholastic) 
Dumbledore was right to mistrust Riddle and will be right to trust 
Snape, I expect. 

Jen

**(Pippin made me think of this image when she mentioned how 
Dumbledore finally enlightened Harry and 'told him everything' as 
the dawn was breaking in OOTP. JKR has proven herself to use 
symbolism very judiciously and purposefully).