The Too Unreliable Narrator (was: What really happened on the tower)

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 155796

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com,
  
> > Pippin:
> > But whether the character must know is blurred in this case. We
> > think, on first reading, that we are watching Harry up in the 
> > air from Hermione's point of view and that she saw him get
> > control of his broom  as she scrambled back along the row of 
> > seats. 
> > <snip>
> 
> Neri:
> OK, so it isn't a non-description but because of the ambiguous 
> shifts in PoV it isn't clear from the beginning that it isn't a 
> non-description. 
<snip>

Mike now:
Here is a non-description without shifting POV: Harry knows he 
didn't spike Ron's pumpkin juice with Felix, yet we are led to 
believe he did, until we reach the locker room scene after the 
match. In fact the narrator tells us that Harry thinks, "Hermione 
had never really understood what a serious business Quidditch was" 
(p.293,US) and Harry mutters, "That's right, Smith, he is" 
(p.296,US).

The unreliable narrator is telling the story from Harry's POV and 
yet we don't know that Harry didn't really spike the juice. Further, 
we are treated to comments and musings the lead us further to 
believe the spiking occurred. This is clearly a case of trickery on 
JKR's part wherein we do find out that she *conned* us purposely. 
Harry knows, we are in Harry's POV, we don't know.

> 
> > Pippin:
> > It's the same with that petrificus curse. Harry of course knows
> > whether he said the curse or not, and he may or may not know
> > who did say it. But the narrator doesn't tell us that he knows,
> > it only lets us assume that he does. 
> > 
> 
> Neri:
> It's not the same at all. As you say Harry at the very least  
> *must* know if it's him or somebody else, and in addition there 
> aren't any ambiguous shifts in PoV here.
<snip>

Mike again:
But in the long run, how important is it? Even if it was Snape, it's 
only a small positive in a sea of negatives from Harry's POV. Not 
nearly enough to affect Harry without a lot more proof of DDM!Snape.

If it was Neville (seemingly, the only non-engaged good guy) there 
doesn't seem to be a need among the former DA 'lags' to thank each 
other for their help. We sure don't see much of it in the aftermath 
of the battle in the MoM. Besides, JKR might not think it important 
to mention that Harry stopped by Neville's bed in the hospital wing 
and give him a quick 'thanks'. IMO, this is an easily ommitted scene 
with little to no impact on the story.

Mike, thinking it was Neville who PTed Fenrir and was thanked later 
by Harry.