chapter discussions, SS/PS, chapter 5, Diagon Alley

[wildirishrose01us]

No: HPFGUIDX 187918



Carol responds:
 
I agree that the general impression of Slytherin that JKR created was unfavorable, but it was also filtered through Gryffindor eyes (every person who said bad things about Slytherin was a Gryffindor, from Hagrid to Percy) and colored by Harry's own encounters with Draco and Snape, including his mistaken assumption that Snape caused his scar to hurt. But I thought (and still think) that the depiction of most Slytherin students as ugly (a Quidditch player who looks like he has Troll blood, the thuggish CrabbenGoyle), the haglike Millicent Bulstrode) was overkill and exaggeration comparable to the exaggerated descriptions of Hagrid's hands and feet. (One of these days, I'll look up other instances of hyperbole in the books--it's a favorite device of JKR's, along with puns).

Marianne:

I've listened to the books on CD several times, and only read the series once, and because of that I haven't got all the little details like I would have if I'd read the books serveral times, but I seem to recall that JKR referred Pansey Parkinson as a hard faced girl.  Can't remember which book it was in. 

Carol responds:

For me, "Spinner's End" and HBP in general provided the first hint that even Death Eaters and other Voldemort supporters had a human side (Narcissa's love for her son and loyalty to her husband; Draco's fears for his family and hesitation on the Tower). Even Bellatrix cares about "Cissy" (but not as much as she adores Voldemort).

Marianne:

Hearing Bellatrix referring to her sister as Cissy comes across as having sense of family, and some affection.  I found it surprising.  I wouldn't have thought Bella had much affection for anyone, except Voldemort.  And the fact that Bella was trying to keep Narcissa from going to Spinner's End was interesting.  Like she did care about Narcissa's actions.