Handwriting (WAS:Re: CHAPDISC, HBP 10)

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 148750


> Krista:
> > <snip> 
> > I also think the whole idea of Snape's teenage writing being 
> > mistaken for a girl's is very odd, I have to say. <snip>
> > As a guy with esteem issues, he'd probably write small; as a 
> > wordy student, he'd have cramped handwriting on tests, to squeeze 
> > everything in; as a guy whose mind is inclined to logic/math, 
> > he'd have more linear, precise handwriting, closer to print than 
> > cursive; and because he's trying to write quickly, no effort at 
> > being "pretty." <snip>

zgirnius:
The person who suggests the handwriting is that of a female is 
Hermione. Like Snape, she probably has a small, cramped hand from 
trying to fit it all in, too. And she has a logical mind with an 
intrest in Arithmancy (her favorite subject, and from the sound of it 
as close to math as we get in the Potterverse). I think the 
handwriting may have reminded Hermione of her own in its general 
features, hence her conclusion, since she may not be sufficiently 
aware of the Muggle discipline of handwriting analysis to realize she 
is atypical.

> 
> brady:
> 
> On the issue of the handwriting, I have asked this same question 
> before without getting any replies. Harry has seen Snape write his 
> exam. He could see that the handwriting was cramped, small and he 
> wrote a lot of matter. How is it that he didn't place the exam 
> handwriting and the HBP book writing together? At least a faint - 
> "I have seen this writing before...but where?" kind of 
contemplation 
> would have been more suspenseful in HBP than this case where HP 
> doesn't recognise it at all.

zgirnius:
Well, I think Rowling meant to mislead us the readers. We were meant 
to consider the possibility that the author of the notes was either 
James (as Harry wanted to believe). Or, more logically, that it was 
Lily, since she has an unusual gift for Potions. This might be an 
additional reason Rowling had Hermione suggest the writing was a 
girl's. 

I think you were unusual in concluding that the handwriting must 
belong to someone whose writing Harry had never seen, though it is 
certainly logical. Lots of people, myself included, guessed right off 
it was Snape (potions, and the handwriting clue, even if Harry was 
clueless about the handwriting). I've also read a lot of speculation 
it was Tom Riddle's book-Harry knew his handwriting from the Diary in 
CoS. And this criterion would also eliminate James-Harry saw his test 
paper in OotP as well.