Where's that Big Reveal in DH?

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 180026

> Katie: 
> I might get moved to the OT list for this posting...but we'll see. 

Mike:
Let's see if I can steer it back on-topic.


> Katie:   
>   I think you're right about many of the characters lacking 
> something, but I don't think it's depth, per se. I think the
> problem is that they are what they seem to be.   <snip> 
>     
> But they do lack dimension. I do wish that some people had not
> been what they seemed to be.

Mike:
I do think you've hit on a critical difference here, Katie. DH lacked 
the penultimate or ultimate reveal that made many of the other books 
such enjoyable reads. Granted, this was the final book, we had to get 
more answers than questions. But look at the other books, how JKR 
managed to introduce and reveal a major character's true motives all 
within the timeframe of that book.

1) PS/SS - we got Snape turning out to be protecting Harry and 
Quirrell as the actual 'seeker of the stone.'

2) CoS - We don't really get a reversal, unless you count 'Riddle 
will become Voldemort'. The reveal was Riddle and his Diary were 
causing the CoS to be opened with Ginny as the scapegoat in waiting.

3) PoA - Two for the price of one. Scabbers/Pettigrew and Sirius 
Black both get role reversals. Plus we get the Marauders v Snape 
reveal, though it's not a reversal.

4) GoF - Moody!Crouch Jr. Nuff said! Plus Snape outs himself as a 
former DE.

5) OotP - Again, no real reversal, though we do find out that 
Trelawney isn't quite the "old fraud" we thought she was. Of course, 
the prophesy was the big reveal.

6) HBP - Snape, the Half-Blood Prince. This was both the big reveal 
and the big reversal/cliffhanger when Snape kills DD.

7) DH - ? 

I suppose one could argue in DH the reversals were that Dumbledore 
wasn't quite saintly, or that Snape ended up being on the good side. 
But both of these concerned Harry's pov. We the reader had already 
suspected both; therefore they don't work for me as either a big 
reveal or reversal.

But, where was the traitor in their midst? Where was the bad 
character turning out to be good, or at least not near as bad as we 
thought he/she was? Not what Harry thought, what we the reader hadn't 
guessed.



> Katie:
> Snape, in the end, was Snivellus. He was a mopey, whiney, lonely 
> kid who never grew much beyond that. Harry was a hero. Ron - a
> sidekick. Draco - a coward and a jerk. You get my point. I think
> the problem is that JKR misled us into believing that all these
> people would be more than what they seemed...and she just didn't
> deliver. 

Mike:
I never expected Harry, Ron, or Hermione to be anything than what 
they were. I don't think she could have changed them and been true to 
the story.

In all fairness, JKR had led us on a great rollercoaster ride with 
regards to Snape. Though I agree with you that his big reveal was 
both weak and predictable. 

I think it was Draco's story where JKR really dropped the ball.
Draco should have been the big reveal, imo. Draco languished for 
five books, came into his own in book 6, then faded away into 
insignificance in DH. 

I certainly would have traded some camping time for some inside info 
on Draco. In GoF, twice in HBP, and in DH, JKR wrote a Harry-free 
chapter. All were the first chapter(s). Who wouldn't have loved one 
of those in the *middle* of DH taking us to Hogwarts? That would have 
been an ideal time to set Draco up for something better.


---------------------------
> Katie:
>   Anyway, back to the topic...I would love to play Professor
> Sprout. I'm kind of shaped like her! : )  And I always thought
> she was a really interesting lady who didn't get enough page time.
> Besides, I love the idea of digging in dirt all day for a living! 

Mike:
Oh, this was the topic? ;) 

If I could peel away 35 years, I could Fred or George justice, right 
down to the red hair. Unfortunately, in my current state, Sluggy 
would be the best I could hope for. As long as I get to sit around 
and eat sweets all day. Plus, I would get to duel LV in the end. Get 
knocked on my arse, sure, but that's nothing new.

Mike, who probably looks more like Scrimgeour, but what would be the 
fun in playing him?