James and Intent

[Annemehr]

No: HPFGUIDX 186968

 
> > zanooda
<snip>
> > 
> > However, I still consider James one of the very few JKR's failures. She is able to create believable and appealing characters with just a few lines, but in this case she didn't manage to show me who James Potter really was ;-).
> >


> jkoney:
> We aren't shown this because it isn't relevent to the story of Harry's journey. We are told it more than once so the author doesn't have to write several scenes (meaningless to the plot) about it. 
> 
> Doesn't this seem like she is telling us one thing in text and people aren't believing it? She seems to make the point quite clear that James grew up and was a good/great guy. So wouldn't this be the readers subjective view overriding what is actually written down? 
> 
> I can't blame JKR for not stating her intentions clearly on this issue because she wrote it down.
>


Annemehr:
The thing is, it isn't only the readers' view that's subjective.  JKR's view of what makes a "great guy" is completely subjective also.  

I'm sure many of us basically see the James that JKR had in mind, and still think he's a jerk.

Take that snippet where James et al make fools of the muggle cops, while they're adult members of the order.  I just wanted to smack him one.  I'm pretty sure JKR intended him to be cool.

If JKR comes out in another interview and says "James was really cool in that scene," am I supposed to agree just because she said so?  And I don't agree to like him, just because she put praise for him in McGonagall's mouth, either.