Sirius Black's role in DH -- why? SPOILERS

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 179170

> Vivida89:
> 
> Oh really, that was said perfectly. I couldn't have expressed it in
> any better way. I think you got the point all right: The author 
does
> have the authority to edit the book, to put up facts that we have 
to
> believe in (what you call canon) since, well, it's sort of HER 
book.
> 
> But just because it's HER book it doesn't mean we have to follow
> blindly. I disregard some of JKR's opinions and I have no problem
> admitting that.


Alla:

Well, thank you :) I love to read her interviews, if I agree with 
her opinions, I happily adopt them as canon extensions, if I 
disagree with her opinions, I happily ignore them, it is as simple 
as that, you know?


Vivida89
<SNIP>
> But since I have read DH my opinion for him is not the same it 
used to
> be... I feel like JKR wants to tell us: Stop loving Sirius Black, 
he's
> nothing more than a playboy with huge flaws and a reckless guy. I
> really have trouble to get back loving him. Naturally I shouldn't 
let
> get my opinion be influenced by it, but... she's the author, you 
know,
> she has to know about the characters... <SNIP>

Alla:

I am sorry you feel this way :( I do not really care whether JKR is 
trying to tell me to stop loving Sirius Black, lol. All the reasons 
I started liking the character are there in the books, thus I doubt 
I will ever stop.

I started to like him because despite twelve years of suffering he 
was still able to feel love and at least try to give support to the 
boy who badly needed it.

I liked him for that and I felt for him suffering unjustly. I see 
his flaws, recklessness and others, but I really think that given 
his post Azkaban state, he at least tried, so whatever JKR says, I 
like the character very much.

I do not think she dislikes him that much by the way, just that she 
was always primarily interested in kids and adults by definition had 
to take second seat in that ride. I wanted more for adults, Sirius 
and others, I did, but luckily I was very much interested in Harry, 
so I was okay to adjust my expectations and go read fanfic if I want 
more Sirius and other adults to play with in my imagination.


vivida89:
> She keeps saying over and over, Sirius is NOT perfect, he has
> flaws.

zgirnius:
Yes, and as others have already pointed out in response to this, we
as readers can disagree that he does have flaws (a position I would
personally consider untenable in light of his characterization in the
books), or decide that we like him anyway (a perfectly reasonable
difference of opinion with the author about what makes a character
worthy of being liked by us). <SNIP>

Alla:

To be sure, as many people know I am a huge Sirius' fan, but of 
course I do not take the position that he has no flaws. Sure he does 
and I can see them in the books. I take the position that he has a 
plenty good qualities as well as flaws AND I like him anyways too.

My disagreement with JKR is specifically over her bizarre comparison 
of Harry and Sirius' as godfathers. If Harry had spent twelve years 
in Azkaban and was a godfather to a kid who was being hunted by evil 
maniac, then I would consider the comparison to be less bizarre, 
maybe. IMO of course.

But of course Sirius had plenty flaws.



Zgirnius:
<SNIP>
But Sirius got his final farewell in the Forest; I don't think
Rowling intended his omission in the Epliogue as a slight, she simply
wanted that scene to be the last work on Sirius. (And as you say, it
is a very *nice* last word.) Telling us Al's middle name was Severus
told us something new in a way telling us James's was Sirius, would
not have. We know that Harry loves Sirius with all of his flaws - why
else was Sirius in the Forest? On the other hand, a choice to name a
son after Snape tells us Harry's view of the man has changed.


Alla:

Agreed about Sirius getting his final farewell in the forest and a 
nice one too, yes. I mean I think she chose spot on who are Harry's 
**loved** ones in the forest.

But even though I also agree that story wise it makes sense that 
Al's name tells us more new info, I would still love to hear that 
James's second is Sirius.

I do hope she puts it in encyclopedia.



JMO,

Alla