JKR and the boys (and girls)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 161598

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "phoenixgod2000" <jmrazo at ...> 
wrote:
>
<SNIP>
> 
> I've lost a lot of faith in JKR. The past two books have been 
> disappointing in my view.  There have been pieces of greatness in 
> both of them but a lot of disappointment as well. And all of that 
> disappointment involved Characterization sacrificed for Plot.
> 
> Sometimes I think she has lived so long with these characters in 
her 
> head that sometimes forgets to include things for all the people 
who 
> can't peer into her brain. I think she probably does believe that 
> Hermione and Ginny are best girlfriends and they are--in her head--
> but I don't think she does a good job of conveying that in the text.
>   

I think that hits the nail squarely on the head.  JKR, as I've said 
before, sometimes confuses detail with thought.  That is because she 
has a lot of detail in the plot, she thinks the plot is well thought 
out, when in fact it has holes in it large enough to drive a dragon 
through.

Similarly, because she has the reactions of the characters plotted 
out in advance, she thinks they are well-thought out, when in fact 
all they are is plotted and pre-determined.  Often it feels that 
characters react in unbelievable ways simply because it is convenient 
for the plot that they do so.  Thus, why does DD come up with such a 
bizarre way of treating Harry in OOTP, not even bothering with a note 
saying "I know this is hard on you but trust me, I have my reasons?" 
or better yet having Sirius convey such a sentiment along the lines 
of "I've talked to Dumbledore and he promises his bizarre behavior 
and decisions will be fully explained" or if Sirius must be isolated 
having McGonnagall convey the same information. Because it is 
convenient for the plot that he come up with such an inexplicable and 
ludicrous approach to the situation, just as it is convenient that 
McGonnagall take her idiotic stance with regard to Harry and Umbridge.

To make matters worse, JKR is often a victim of the rule of three.  
What she means to write, what she actually writes, and what people 
read often bear no relation to one another at all.


Lupinlore