Characters inconsistencies (mostly Snape's) WAS :Re:What did you like

[mesmer44]

No: HPFGUIDX 183833

>> Alla:
> > So, yes to me him coming back is a major major change in his
character.
>
> Carol:
> I agree. But that makes him dynamic, not inconsistent, according to
> most literary critics that I'm familiar with. An inconsistent
> character is one whose personality and traits are always
fluctuating,
> as distinct from a dynamic character who develops according to a
> logical pattern. (Of course, a character can *appear* to be
> inconsistent if he's viewed from an unreliable perspective, but I'm
> not talking about that here.)
> <HUGE SNIP, read the rest UPTHREAD>
>> Carol, who agrees completely that (young) Snape changes but sees
> nothing inconsistent about that change.  <snip>
>
 Winterfell:
     Change is a component of being inconsistent. Whether or not you
like the word "inconsistent", when applied generally, as properly
defined in the dictionary, not by some literary critics who love to
change and reinterpret words to suit their own pet theories, it
applies to a lot of things in JKR's writing.  Her characters change
as they grow older and face different circumstances.  Her writing
changes as it progresses from one book to the next.  Some changes,
some inconsistencies are good and make for better reading and
character development, some perhaps aren't so good when a character
you like changes in ways you don't want them to.

But just because you don't like to think of Snape as inconsistent, or
his change being inconsistent, it still applies.  It doesn't have to
be a negative thing, as many of Snape's changes were for the good.
Ultimately, he changes into a redeemed hero, (albeit unappreciated
and misunderstood hero by many who don't understand the sacrifices he
made).  And Harry's attitude toward Snape changes drastically after
DH as well, which is certainly inconsistent with how he viewed him
through 6 and 3/4 books.  I think that change was quite good and was
very happy to see him name one of his children after Severus.

But calling Snape a dynamic character is also confusing, because
according to the free dictionary, some things which are dynamic are
characterized by continuous change, activity or progress...like a
dynamic market.  I don't think of Snape as continuously changing
either, or as a person who doesn't stick to his convictions.  If
anyone stuck to his convictions in the Harry Potter series, it was
Snape.  It took us 7 books to find out why, but he did stick to what
he believed in. He was certainly consistent in that.

All I'm saying here is that inconsistencies exist in the Harry Potter
novels and I believe many of them are positive.  I concede that many
are negative, but those that are don't bother me a whole lot.  I like
characters in fiction that grow and change, who don't act
consistently all the time.  It makes for surprises and fun as a
reader.


<SNIP of the whole post basically, please read it UPTHREAD>
> Carol, not trying to convince Steve (Winterfell), just expressing
her
> own views in answer to his responses <snip>

Winterfell responds:

Thanks for the clarification and excellent explanation on this.  I
was wrong in thinking that Snape was totally to blame in this.  His
attitude was a contributory reason Harry didn't continue occlumency,
but not the main ones.  Harry is to blame for a lot of what happened
with the dreams of the Department of Mysteries to be sure.