Draco and Intent: Re: Snape and Harry’s Sadism (was: Lack of re-examination)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 186956

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > I think there's some conflation going on here.  First there's the question, "does JKR intend for Ginny to be Harry's ideal wife?"
> > <snip> 
> > Second, there's the *completely* different question, "Do you, the reader, feel Ginny is Harry's ideal wife?" <snip>  

> >>jkoney:
> Right, but the problem I'm bringing up is that people mistake the second discussion for the first. They then continue on inspite of what the text actually says. 

Betsy Hp:
I've seen that happen, yes.  There's certainly a fluidity to the two ways of looking at things; JKR's intentions and the reader's response can be dealt with (and often is) within the same conversation. But I don't think it always means the reader isn't aware of the difference between the two.  (Of course, sometimes it does, which can be frustrating. *g*)

> >>jkoney:
> But if you thought that Draco and Harry were going to be friends you were ignoring a large part of the text. This would be subjective on your part. You would be confusing what you think might occur based on other stories with what is actually happening in this one.

Betsy Hp:
No, I wasn't.  I was placing too much *importance* on various parts of the text and that was subjective on my part. But my predictions, though wrong, were text-based.  (Interestingly, before HBP came out I *did* start to doubt Draco's story having a redemptive arc.  HBP led me *very* far astray.  About Snape's ultimate story, too, unfortunately.)

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > <snip> The idea that the author cannot possibly make their intentions clear in the text is farcical to me.  It's basically saying a writer cannot write.

> >>jkoney:
> Actually I'm saying that the reader doesn't know how to read. And it doesn't matter what's in the text, they are going to use their subjective viewpoint and ignore the facts as they are written.

Betsy Hp:
You're being too sweeping again, but I can say I've learned a bit more about being a more careful reader after this Harry Potter experience (an experience that's quite unique, I think).  I did ignore warning signs in the text that should have clued me into the nature of this story because I enjoyed other parts of the text. However, with the story all done, the mysteries all wrapped up, JKR's cards laid flat on the table, I feel like I've accepted the facts as written.  And it's by those facts that I interpret the story in its entire.

> >>jkoney:
> I agree that readers are allowed their own opinion as long as they understand what is actually happening and don't confuse the two.

Betsy Hp:
Agreed! :D  Of course, there's the confusion that occurs when the author, herself, seems unclear about what exactly happened.  (Did Slytherin return to aid Harry in his fight against Voldemort?  If so, why isn't it written into the text?  If not, why does JKR claim that they did?  Did she have clear intentions there and fail to get them across or did her intentions change?)

> >>Steve:
> > It's extremely rare to find someone who has a completely objective agenda.

> >>Goddlefrood:
> Except of course lawyers ;-)

Betsy Hp:
Hee! Bless your boots, Goddlefrood. :)

Betsy Hp