Mediocre and letters and Re: Hmmm. What's your favorite *now*?

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 183114

> >Post 183075 Magpie:
> Me neither. I don't know who said that line that you quoted as me,
> but it wasn't me.:-)
> snip
> Though I would read about a mediocre kid. I like reading about
> mediocre people who rise to be something special. Harry, however, is
> the Chosen One who discovers more super powers as he goes.
> 
> Potioncat:
> That would be me. And I used mediocre sort of tongue in cheek 
because 
> that's the word Snape uses. Mediocre has two meanings according to 
my 
> Websters. The first is "neither good nor bad, OK." The second 
> is "inferior."  From a Snapish point of view, Harry fits both 
> definitions. I'm sure Snape sees him as inferior. I see Harry as 
OK. 
> He has certain areas that he does better in, but for the part he's 
> average. I don't see Harry has having super powers at any point of 
> the story. 

Magpie:
He's the one who can defeat Voldemort. He has visions. He can fly 
amazingly well without ever getting on a broom. He can throw off 
Imperius instinctively. He can cast a Patronus at 13. He speaks 
Parseltongue. All these things are unusual and extraordinary 
according to canon. 

He doesn't do everything exceptionally well--he can't do Occlumency, 
he's an ordinary student in most subjects. But chalk these things up 
to whatever you like (Voldemort, he inherited flying talent from his 
father, his experiences make him strong--whatever), Harry having 
special abilities is very often part of the storyline.

> >Post 183082Magpie:
> Yes, But we were talking about whether the whole thing with the
> letters is about showing us that Harry is an ordinary boy, which is 
a
> very specific thing. And I'm saying that the book doesn't start
> with "Meet Harry Potter, ordinary boy." 
> 
> 
> Potioncat:
> Well, all of us knew he was going to be hero; his name is part of 
the 
> title. Depending on when a reader/kid started reading, they might 
> know just how much Harry would accomplish. But he is ordinary. 
Isn't 
> that just like JKR to turn things around? 

Magpie:
She's not turning things around that much--this way of doing it is 
pretty standard. The first chapter has told me there's something 
special about this kid already. It doesn't matter that when I meet 
him he seems, not ordinary, but exceptionally mistreated. I already 
know there's something special about him so I'm just waiting to find 
out the specifics. It's only Harry himself who is confused.

Superman's a regular Joe when he's not being Superman too. It's not 
that I don't see both sides of Harry. But I can't believe that even 
at 11 I'd be reading those first chapters and not be waiting to find 
out how put-upon Harry is really extremely special or falling for the 
illusion that he's ordinary.

-m