Storytelling in Harry Potter (1 of 2) (long)

[Neri]

No: HPFGUIDX 170891

> Ann:
> > This is because in my opinion a plot is neither "a sequence of events
> > in a fictional work", nor is it necessary for a work. My personal and
> > idiosyncratic definition of a plot is "The sequence of events in a
> > work resulting mainly from the protagonist/s's actions, other
> > characters' reactions, and the setting – as opposed to events
> > programmed by the author, the narrator's choice of what to narrate,
> > and so on – which are visible to the reader and directed towards
> > reaching the work's most important narrative strand". 
> 

> Pippin:
> According to your definition, if I understand it correctly, almost
> no mystery or detective fiction would have a plot. The action is
> usually driven by the villain. He always controls events
> and knows more about what is going on than the main 
> character does, at least until the villain is revealed and his 
> plots are foiled. 
> 


Neri adds:
Not only that, but by the above definition all of Jane Austen's
romans, for example, have even less of a plot than the HP series,
since all of Austen's heroines are extremely "passive" by Ann's
standards, and of course Austen herself is The Master of carefully
"programmed" events. 
   
Now, many of Austen's haters would probably agree wholeheartedly that
she doesn't carry any plots <g>, but at least JKR is in good company here.


Neri