[HPforGrownups] Names in the Potterverse

[Dave Hardenbrook]

No: HPFGUIDX 162224

Leah:
> The name (also confirmed by JKR in an interview) comes from Mansfield
> Park by Jane Austen. Mrs Norris is the heroine's aunt and one of the
> most unpleasant characters to grace English Literature.

Me:
There are many points _Mansfield Park_ where Mrs. N. does or says
something (usually to hurt Fannie) that makes you quote Ron and say,
"Oh, can't we kick her just this once?"


Bart:
> We could probably find a dozen meanings in Harry Potter alone
> (consider "potter", one who works with clay to build things,
> "putter", meaning that he doesn't learn things thoroughly
> but goes ahead without knowledge, "potter", when he gambles,
> always wins the pot, just to give a few).

Me:
I found myself wondering the other day if Jo might have settled
on "Potter" for her hero simply by taking the name of her favorite
animal and putting a "P" in front... :)


Dave