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You hit the nail on the head. Seriana Sedai Send a noteboard - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM
Since this is a children's book, the characters are, at this stage, very black and white. The Dursley's have no redeeming features at all, and Harry is very obviously written to garner sympathy. That said, I don't find that offputting. There's enough humour in her descriptions to prevent the characterisation from becoming heavy handed.


Indeed. They are mere sketches at this point, but she shades them later on.

Love that she uses the same things to appeal to boys and girls. Best example of this is Harry's room under the stairs. He's used to spiders, which would make the girls pity him because they think spiders are horrible, and pity's a great way to get little girls to like Harry. Whereas the boys will love that he's not scared of the spiders, which makes up for the fact that he's a dinky little wimpy thing. That lack of fear of the horrible hairy things will help boys to respect him.


Ick, the spiders. *shudder*

And before you tell me off for thinking in such glaring steroetypes: that really is how little girls and boys are. I know. I have loads of cousins around the target age of these books when they came out. That's pretty much how they react to things like that. ;)


I wasn't going to tell you off. That is definitely how I reacted to that scene.

I like also that Rowling gives something to the adults as well. The Dursleys are such social climbers, proper unpleasant middle class, and that would make a lot of grown ups chuckle a wee bit. Underneath it, though, you can see that Aunt Petunia at least does properly love her son, revolting ball of lard that he is. There's a little shade of grey there for older readers to appreciate.


Yes. I love the description of the Dursleys. It is wonderful how their middle-classness (using that as short-hand for all their traits here -- it is a stereotype which she makes the most of) makes them almost as off-putting as the Death-Eaters who kill hordes of people.

As for the wizarding types: Dumbledore's very quickly set as an eccentric with his love of sweets, but we're also introduced to his wisdom. McGonagall is clearly defined as the strong, steady, somewhat tartarish teacher, and Hagrid is the loveable scruff. Simple but effective.


Indeed. It is part of what I mean by her having the technique, if not the strength in wording. She knows how to characterise. And she keeps this up throughout the books. They are not necessarily terribly subtle sketches, but they are swift and highly effective.

Not subtle, but highly effective. I couldn't think of the right words, but you did. It is great for the first book because we are instantly familiar but there is room for them to develop. Sometimes characters like that feel forced, but I don't feel that about any of the characters in Harry Potter.
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Harry Potter Re-read: The Philosopher's Stone - Final section underway! (& next book plans) - 12/07/2010 08:27:51 AM 3785 Views
Chapters 1-3: Introducing Harry - 12/07/2010 08:28:49 AM 2013 Views
Characterisation *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:02 AM 1157 Views
My thoughts, such as they are. - 12/07/2010 04:09:55 PM 2114 Views
Agree. She gave us enough to make it interesting. - 12/07/2010 06:45:46 PM 2048 Views
Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM 2073 Views
You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM 1959 Views
Re: You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 08:51:45 AM 1905 Views
Writing style *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:18 AM 1134 Views
A couple of points. - 12/07/2010 04:10:20 PM 1892 Views
It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 07:18:14 PM 2102 Views
True. - 12/07/2010 07:36:49 PM 2042 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:31:11 PM 2251 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:51:23 PM 1837 Views
Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM 2095 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 08:54:40 AM 2042 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM 2094 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 01:15:23 PM 1891 Views
Early themes *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:37 AM 1226 Views
Strong vs weak *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:23:45 PM 1856 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:43:27 PM 1905 Views
Re: - 12/07/2010 07:44:56 PM 1877 Views
Chapters 4-10: Making Friends at Hogwarts *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:58 AM 1071 Views
Impressions: thoughts about the school, the teachers, the enemies and the friends. *NM* - 14/07/2010 08:29:38 AM 1113 Views
I'd forgotten how annoying Hermione was - 14/07/2010 01:48:13 PM 1959 Views
Me too. - 14/07/2010 04:30:13 PM 1869 Views
Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. - 14/07/2010 04:58:04 PM 1899 Views
Some thoughts before I run off to the library again - 14/07/2010 06:11:45 PM 2141 Views
Good points - 14/07/2010 08:45:56 PM 2033 Views
What about the magic? - 14/07/2010 08:58:51 AM 1915 Views
The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 02:13:41 PM 1850 Views
Re: The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 08:53:08 PM 2090 Views
There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 01:29:49 AM 2026 Views
I agree - 15/07/2010 04:51:05 AM 2024 Views
Re: I agree - 15/07/2010 05:44:41 AM 1888 Views
Re: There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 08:12:40 AM 2183 Views
I think - 14/07/2010 04:34:30 PM 1854 Views
Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 05:11:40 PM 2149 Views
Re: Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 08:51:06 PM 1845 Views
Agreed. - 14/07/2010 08:57:55 PM 1881 Views
I really need a remembrall. - 14/07/2010 08:57:10 PM 2044 Views
I felt bad for Neville. - 14/07/2010 09:03:49 PM 1991 Views
Indeed. - 14/07/2010 09:05:40 PM 1865 Views
But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 02:51:47 AM 2149 Views
I know, right! - 15/07/2010 06:41:01 AM 1864 Views
Exactly. - 15/07/2010 03:22:18 PM 1806 Views
Re: But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 08:15:55 AM 1919 Views
Ah, see - 15/07/2010 03:23:49 PM 1831 Views
Chapters 11-17: Harry the Hero *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:30:29 AM 1097 Views
What'd you think of the ending? *NM* - 15/07/2010 05:21:38 PM 1055 Views
Loved it. - 15/07/2010 05:56:06 PM 1916 Views
Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 07:14:08 PM 1906 Views
I hear you - 15/07/2010 08:22:05 PM 1951 Views
Re: Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 08:48:21 PM 1913 Views
I can clarify some stuff for you - 15/07/2010 09:14:07 PM 2014 Views
One of the most sublime, wonderful moments of any book - 15/07/2010 08:18:29 PM 1775 Views
Yes! - 15/07/2010 10:39:11 PM 1943 Views
Lovely - 15/07/2010 09:00:11 PM 2022 Views
Haha - 15/07/2010 09:16:16 PM 2092 Views
Re: Haha - 15/07/2010 09:24:06 PM 1992 Views
But I thought all girls were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? - 15/07/2010 09:26:53 PM 1843 Views
Oh, we are. - 15/07/2010 09:35:17 PM 1761 Views
Ah like vodka vs. wine coolers? *NM* - 15/07/2010 09:48:26 PM 1039 Views
Gin - 15/07/2010 09:49:33 PM 1879 Views
I was 16. - 15/07/2010 10:49:33 PM 1769 Views
So was I - 15/07/2010 10:54:24 PM 1805 Views
Honestly, dumbledore is a bit of an ass... - 15/07/2010 10:48:32 PM 1776 Views
Heresy! - 15/07/2010 10:55:28 PM 1802 Views
As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 03:05:05 AM 2102 Views
Re: As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 11:14:56 AM 1965 Views
In fairness, it's Hogwarts itself that is all but impregnable. - 26/07/2010 03:55:02 PM 1890 Views
A funny thing I noticed - 15/07/2010 09:00:42 PM 1998 Views
- 15/07/2010 09:18:08 PM 1851 Views
Overall thoughts for the book - 12/07/2010 08:31:37 AM 1913 Views
Foreshadowing and setting up the future - 12/07/2010 08:32:10 AM 1836 Views
Harry's anger management issues? - 12/07/2010 07:14:58 PM 1916 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:40:40 PM 1940 Views
Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:14:20 PM 2005 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:55:32 PM 1927 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:02:59 PM 1869 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:04:42 PM 1973 Views
I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:22:54 PM 2035 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:39:25 PM 1957 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:45:32 PM 1948 Views
~smug~ - 13/07/2010 02:09:15 PM 1919 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 02:10:41 PM 2178 Views
This response implies the experience of being both?? - 13/07/2010 03:23:29 PM 1919 Views
On Ginny: - 12/07/2010 10:36:47 PM 2045 Views
So much (chapters 1-3) *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:35:57 PM 2164 Views
Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:38:05 PM 1985 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:08 PM 2000 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:53 PM 1806 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:44:16 PM 1718 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 04:41:12 AM 1812 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 08:55:09 AM 1874 Views
I missed the school roof thing this time around too! Good catch there. *NM* - 12/07/2010 09:22:21 PM 1082 Views
The thing that tipped me off - 12/07/2010 09:53:01 PM 1908 Views
Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 09:18:35 PM 2118 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:30:23 PM 1947 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:55:01 PM 1895 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 11:05:59 PM 1916 Views
I can answer your consistency question! - 15/07/2010 02:35:42 AM 2065 Views
You are a clever cookie. - 15/07/2010 08:14:25 AM 1916 Views
Yes - 15/07/2010 03:30:36 PM 1743 Views
Ooh, yes. - 16/07/2010 12:19:13 AM 1763 Views
More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 08:55:34 PM 1787 Views
Re: More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1907 Views
Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:23:15 PM 1996 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:28:04 PM 1892 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 07:12:39 PM 2153 Views
I like it. Thank you. - 20/07/2010 12:53:37 AM 2105 Views
What made this book (and the rest of the series) such a success? - 12/07/2010 08:33:00 AM 2024 Views
I have no idea *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:47:58 PM 2105 Views
I agree... - 12/07/2010 09:19:59 PM 2089 Views
It has tons of things in it that every kid dreams of doing - 14/07/2010 01:56:05 PM 2017 Views
Kid? - 14/07/2010 02:01:30 PM 2009 Views
so do I. I was just trying to act mature *NM* - 14/07/2010 02:08:01 PM 1228 Views
Not even just the super stuff Deadsy mentions. - 14/07/2010 04:38:46 PM 2137 Views
It's a simple, well-done little book. - 12/07/2010 07:46:48 PM 2035 Views
you don't read instructions, do you? - 12/07/2010 07:49:24 PM 2062 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:50:23 PM 1994 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:51:40 PM 1986 Views
Awwww! - 12/07/2010 07:52:19 PM 1938 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:52:52 PM 2037 Views
Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:50:44 PM 2054 Views
Re: Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:52:21 PM 2012 Views
Pff. - 12/07/2010 07:54:54 PM 2008 Views
*NM* - 12/07/2010 07:56:03 PM 1237 Views
When did you pick up this book? - 12/07/2010 11:30:46 PM 1944 Views
I was 10. - 13/07/2010 04:13:44 AM 2079 Views
I was 16. - 13/07/2010 08:24:02 AM 2009 Views
1999 - 13/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 2001 Views
What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:15:40 PM 2120 Views
Re: What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:17:40 PM 2007 Views
Just before the first movie came out - 13/07/2010 02:17:42 PM 2164 Views
When Prisoner of Azkaban was a hardback. - 13/07/2010 02:23:57 PM 2029 Views
Just after Goblet of Fire was published. - 13/07/2010 11:50:38 PM 2094 Views
Just before Goblet of Fire came out. - 14/07/2010 04:04:21 AM 2035 Views
The first five were out, waited for HBP. - 14/07/2010 06:20:39 AM 2162 Views
You're making me want to talk about toadface - 14/07/2010 02:06:25 PM 2045 Views
Sorry! - 15/07/2010 06:36:11 AM 2121 Views
I held out quite awhile because I don't like "fads" - 14/07/2010 02:04:37 PM 1993 Views
Lol! - 14/07/2010 08:54:47 PM 2090 Views
I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 06:39:16 AM 2101 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 10:01:04 AM 2260 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 05:44:28 PM 2169 Views
I would have, if I had known there was hype. I know I would have. - 15/07/2010 03:28:50 PM 2159 Views
- 15/07/2010 05:47:01 PM 2166 Views
I think I was first! - 23/07/2010 07:05:08 PM 2102 Views
Aged 13 or 14 - a while before the first movie (which was Christmas 2001). *NM* - 26/07/2010 04:13:55 PM 1254 Views
Jesus Christ. - 26/07/2010 05:04:46 PM 2235 Views
^That was me. *NM* - 26/07/2010 09:55:49 PM 1257 Views
I was going to ask if it was. *NM* - 26/07/2010 10:04:59 PM 1211 Views
Suggestions for the Re-read - 12/07/2010 08:33:25 AM 2054 Views
I like it so far - 13/07/2010 10:16:49 AM 2024 Views
I can try that for the next book. - 13/07/2010 11:21:01 PM 2012 Views
Can we get chapter discussions everyday? *NM* - 15/07/2010 06:40:30 PM 1188 Views
Inconsistencies Re: the Potter's death... - 15/07/2010 05:16:45 AM 2384 Views
Because they were tricked? They considered Peter and Sirius to be brothers. - 15/07/2010 07:05:27 AM 2019 Views
That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 01:08:40 AM 1965 Views
Take it up with Rowling, since you don't believe me. *NM* - 16/07/2010 08:19:58 AM 1126 Views
What's there to believe? - 18/07/2010 06:03:13 AM 2043 Views
Re: That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 09:37:59 AM 2159 Views
Also - 16/07/2010 11:17:51 AM 2387 Views
You are correct! There is no inconsistency - 17/07/2010 04:17:35 AM 2098 Views
Huh? - 18/07/2010 05:57:58 AM 1938 Views
But Camilla explained it! - 18/07/2010 09:27:55 AM 2272 Views
Correction - 18/07/2010 10:58:59 AM 2074 Views
I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:42:18 PM 1957 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:51:36 PM 1985 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:17:04 PM 2271 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:28:27 PM 1984 Views
That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:17:14 PM 2056 Views
Re: That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:20:44 PM 1925 Views
Yet... - 18/07/2010 07:47:56 PM 1999 Views
Re: Yet... - 18/07/2010 08:02:31 PM 2014 Views
To quote Dumbledore... - 19/07/2010 05:57:23 AM 1911 Views
Again... - 18/07/2010 07:35:10 PM 2225 Views
Re: Again... - 18/07/2010 08:00:55 PM 2018 Views
Re: Again... - 19/07/2010 06:33:13 AM 2212 Views
Re: Again... - 20/07/2010 04:45:16 PM 2033 Views
Yet another load of bosh. - 21/07/2010 01:00:14 AM 2018 Views
Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 06:48:45 AM 2143 Views
Re: Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 04:19:35 PM 2020 Views
My two cents - 19/07/2010 06:11:30 AM 2092 Views
It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 12:11:20 AM 2496 Views
Re: It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 09:20:46 AM 1903 Views
You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 04:23:31 PM 2002 Views
Re: You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 05:06:43 PM 2217 Views
I don't know that I'd call it "see through Pettigrew"... - 26/07/2010 06:22:19 PM 1971 Views
^That was me, too. Oh, dear. - 26/07/2010 09:56:43 PM 2214 Views
Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 18/07/2010 07:14:21 PM 2008 Views
Re: Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 26/07/2010 05:07:48 PM 2435 Views
^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 09:58:07 PM 2025 Views
Re: ^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 10:05:41 PM 1926 Views
- 26/07/2010 10:07:36 PM 1837 Views

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