The Overarching message - Caning + Mind Reading, of sorts

[willsonteam]

No: HPFGUIDX 191712

 Otto wrote:
> Dear Potioncat.
> 
> Ok, if it's real next time it's cold and rainy cast an "impervious" spell over yourself (or whatever Hermione used to water-proof Harry's glasses) and leave the umbrella home and go in flip-flops.

Potioncat:
Don't be ridiculous, I never wear flip-flops.

>Otto 
> All of these things you name, "Never-Never-Land", "Oz" etc, are fictional constructs and have no hard reality. Their authors can spin what fables and fairy-tales they wish. But the world we live in does have reality and in fact is the only reality that the hypothetical fantasy worlds can exist in. That is through enactment of principles from that hypothetical construct here.

Potioncat:
I didn't mention Oz, but since you brought it up, Oz, Neverland and Hogwarts all have a different reality. Magic doesn't behave in exactly the same way in each story. JKR's new way of looking at our old stories was part of the pleasure of reading the books. We can compare and contrast---if we are so inclined.

>Otto:
> You may not like people like me analysing things and bringing up inconvenient and uncomfortable realities but if you don't bring these things up the real world will flatten you when you attempt to apply some things from fantasy world to here (like the pneumonia you will get from the example above) or worse.

Potioncat:
Well, I don't know why you believe that's what I think. Here's what I said:
> I admit the group gets into long involved discussions--and yep, sometimes they are over the top. But for many, that's the fun of the site.

How those arguing a particular point want to look at a situation is up to them--but works best when both are using the same yardstick. Then again, the debates are more heated when they don't.

Again--we discuss all sorts of issues in different ways. Lots of fun.
Not every reader likes the same sorts of discussions and everyone is free to pick and choose threads to follow. 

It seemed to me that you were saying there is only one way to look at the Potter stories and one way to discuss them.


Otto continued:
> Worse, if you're not going to do this analysis then all fiction, J.K. Rowling included, becomes merely a little private cell we can retreat to and live with our fantasies, and as each interpretation of Rowling will be completely subjective, no one can say anything to anyone else, and it becomes merely a means for daydreaming.
> And in fact, as no one can talk to anyone else lest it jar ones tender sensibilities, this community is completely superfluous.


Potioncat:
Again, I don't understand why you wrote that. Who said we couldn't analyze? I've been a member of this group a long time---done my share of discussing, speculating, arguing, analyzing. I am as supportive of the members I disagree with as I am with the ones who are the same camp as me. As long there is canon support for the topic, it's fair game here. (The group's rules)

I will end with a bit of canon, to explain perhaps what I mean by real.

Deathly Hallows ch 35. King's Cross
"Tell me one last thing," said Harry, "Is this real? Or has it been happening inside my head?"
...
(DD) "Of course it's happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?"