Coming of Age in the Potterverse was Re: Dumbledore as shameless

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 189019



Right so this is the reply to both Pippin and Carol but only on the issue of subverting the jenre. Carol, a question just to make sure I do have the definition straight, what I mean by subversion of the genre and what i hope JKR means is basically flipping the genre inside out, while seemingly following the basic framework of it. I just want to make sure we are on the same page definitions wise. Or like the single book can also be subverted, like Wicked did with Wizard of OZ. So having said that, Pippin I am beyond confused why you would consider good guys not doing good deeds as conversion of the genre. It is not like good guys in the other books of this genre are perfection impersonated. And while I have very very little problem with Harry using Crucio on that person (yes, I think it was a very clear build up of righteous anger starting from him seeing Neville and his wounds), it is not like at the end of the book we are meant to commiserate about this lack of control being Harry's humongous flaw IMO. To be clear, I do not mean that it is downplayed, I just think that when end comes, what matters is Harry's self sacrifice and then him protecting everybody. So I do think that we are not meant at the end to see Harry as really grey character, but predominantly good guy with flaws. And I have no problem with it, I am just wondering where the subversion lies. As you know I consider Avatar to be the brilliant example of both staying true to the genre and subverting in a several ways. They follow the framework? Oh yeah they do, basics are all there, but they twist it too. And I am afraid I also do not follow the line of thought about Harry needing to consult Dumbledore to make sure he shows him what selflessness is. How is it not slavishly following his dead mentor? However I love love your point Pippin about Harry losing the ability to summon Dumbledore whenever he likes, I do think it should count as another coming of age moment, am actually quite happy because it is so canon based.See to me writing in this genre can mean a terrific book, I just wish JKR would not pretend that it was more than it is. Because yeah when you write about wizards and witches you DO write fantasy JKR, and yeah fantasy and science fiction could reflect plenty of real world issues and still remain fantasy and science fiction. I remember feeling quite annoyed when writers like Terry Pratchett and Ursula Le Guin (I think) reacted with annoyance about JKR putting down whole genre which produced so many amazing works. I was thinking no no she could not mean that, but now I do not know what else did she mean. Sorry for rambling and no quotes (nature of the device I am posting from does not allow it - either no quotes, or top post,but I just wanted to add to Carol's point that JKR seems to closely follow the genre not only in Chosen one relationship with his mentor, but also in the whole prophecy angle. I remember how so very dissapointed I was when prophecy was first introduced,simply because of sheer predictability of it. It definitely took time for me to adjust to it, but for some time I was so hoping, oh maybe it will not come to fruition, maybe it is for neville, maybe it is fake, some twist. Something anything. Oh well, again no biggie, this is the story she wanted to tell, but sorry this is another angle that could have been subverted and was not. 
JMO, Alla