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

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 142228

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, 


Sherry now:

And just what part of Snape does the book show Harry?  Not something
positive.  in spite of the brilliance of the potion instructions, the book
teaches Harry several horrible dark curses.  is this the glorious real
Snape?  All through the book, HBP that is, we're led to feel distrustful of
the effect that book has on Harry.  But then we find out it was Snape's book
and that makes it ok?  It seems to me that the identity of the owner of the
book should confirm Harry's suspicions of Snape rather than allaying them.
the Snape who is the Half Blood Prince is not a very nice fellow and not one
Harry should trust, forgive or emulate.  Did any who believe in DDM Snape
trust the HBP all the way through the story and the identity just confirmed
it for you?  i am actually curious to know this, because I was uncomfortable
with the book and the effect it had on Harry.  The only reason I didn't
worry about it more was that Hermione made me so mad that I sided more with
Harry.  Snape proclaiming himself to be the HBP was chilling because he is
then claiming all that the book represents, including all those dark curses.
no, Harry should think about leaving books like that alone in future.  both
the diary and the potions book caused him a lot of trouble.  The potions
book, in particular, brought out some not nice things in him.  

Sherry