[HPforGrownups] JKR and Emotional Arcs (was:Re: JKR and the boys (and girls)

[J]

No: HPFGUIDX 161609

> >>phoenixgod:
> > 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.

> >>Lupinlore:
> > <snip>
> > Often it feels that characters react in unbelievable ways simply 
> > because it is convenientfor the plot that they do so. 
> > <snipping>

> >>Magpie:
> <snip>
> I know JKR is very partial to outlines and God knows what she's 
> doing has been successful so it's not like I'd tell her she was 
> doing it wrong, but I really never feel any emotional arc as real 
> in the books. 
> <snip of example>

Betsy Hp:
For me the odd moment was Ron and Quidditch in HBP. I mean, I 
thought a big chunck of Ron's development in OotP was his quidditch 
sub-plot. He thinks he's a disaster but then finally has a moment 
where he realizes he's not. And it was great.

And then it all repeats in HBP. Why? So Hermione can hex 
McLaggen? So Harry has something to be tense about as quidditch 
captain? So Ron remains the trio's fool? 

It didn't make sense. It was like JKR had completely forgotten 
everything she'd written in OotP. And Ron had forgotten being 
carried on his classmates' shoulders and knowing that he'd done 
something on his own merit.

> >>Magpie:
> There's a certain satisfaction to watching JKR juggle all of this > stuff, but it's a different satisfaction, imo, than that of really  engaging with emotions. Harry's a great character more for what  he goes through than his personal uniqueness as a character in  himself-- that's not what drives the story. <snip>

Betsy Hp:
<snip> I found I didn't really care about them all that much anymore. In many ways, I just stopped liking
them. Which isn't the best way to feel about a book, IMO.

Betsy Hp
___________________

Jeremiah:
I'm sorry to those of you who feel let down. I look at it as a system for getting us to the end. There are somethings that seem a bit contrived but the enormity of this story is such that there has to be a bit of streaching with the emotions.

I also feel that, in regards to Ron, he's a character that is like his father. Happy-go-lucky to an extent but always meek in a way. Lacking self esteem from growing up in a family where one brother works with Dragons, another is a treasure hunter for Gringots, yet another works for the Minister for Magic. I'd have self-esteem issues, too! So, one success on the Quiddich pitch doesn't make him snap out of it. He's grown up that way. It takes a long time. (as a guy with esteem issues I identify with ron... a lot).

As far as the relationship between the boys... well, yeah. It's not all chatty and personal. Boys don't really express themselves like girls do. Blame it on whatever you like... the broken chromosome or social conditioning...  It's just the way we boys are. And I remember having a really hard time once, I cried, and I was treated with kid-gloves for a long time after. My dad still thinks I'm going to burst out in tears and I'm 34! LOL.

So, I believe in the reactions from Harry, Ron, Seamus and the rest. I also believe in the relationships between the girls. Hemione is very complex to me. She's brainy and more "masculine" in some ways bu she still has friends who are girls... not as close as Ron and Harry but she even gets girly chummy with Ginny. Ah, well. I guess I just see it differently.

Jeremiah: not crying... on the outside.

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