Quidditch is important Was: Book Lengths

[anne_t_squires]

No: HPFGUIDX 161168

 
> One of the two Marions wrote: 

<snip>

> What I thought dragged on too long was the World Cup match. 
Admittedly, I'm not a sports fan, and I don't enjoy the quidditch
play-by-plays much.  But the world cup seemed to go on forever, and
about the only thing it established for future use was the Wronsky
feint (sp?), which Harry later used against the dragons.  I think we
could have been introduced to the veelas and Viktor at the triwizard
tornament without hearing about the long match.  Their trip to the
match was necessary because of the events surrounding it, but the
details on the game itself dragged for me.  Sports fans will disagree,
I'm sure, but I was very pleased to hear that JKR was done writing
quidditch!
> 
> Marion, who would probably announce a game like Luna did
>
Anne Squires responds:

I am not a sports fan, so I totally understand where you are coming
from.  I used to just skim  the Quidditch matches in the books, before
I realized that every single word that JKR writes is a possible clue
of some sort.  So, I have  changed my mind about Quidditch in JKR's
books.  I think one of the important things about the Quidditch World
Cup is the twins' bet.  I have seen it argued that the twins used a
time-turner to predict the outcome so accurately.  Sorry, I don't
remember exactly where I read that, but, I believe it's more than
possible.

There is a wonderful article which was recently posted on MuggleNet by
Lady Lupin about the importance of Quidditch in the HP series.

http://www.mugglenet.com/editorials/spinnersend/se06.shtml

In "Seeking the Golden Snitch" Lady Lupin argues that the Quidditch
matches mirror the themes and actions of each book. She analyses all
the Quidditch matches in the entire series and concludes that each
match parallels the stages of Harry's life.  Here is what Lady Lupin
has to say about The World Cup:

"The Cup also offers a sneak peak at what is to come for Harry,
including an introduction to Krum, Veela, a major competition to be
won, and the Dark Mark and Death Eaters. The score is interesting -
Ireland wins because of their superior teamwork, but Krum catches the
Snitch. At the end of Goblet of Fire, Harry wins the duel with
Voldemort (with some very timely help from several sources), but
Voldemort gets his body back and returns to power."

It really is a very fasinating article.  Sports fan or not, I suggest
everyone read it.

Anne ~ who would not do nearly as as well as Luna did if she were
forced to provide any sort of sports related commentary