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Re: It's interesting to look at the beginning of the story from Draco's point of view. Camilla Send a noteboard - 26/07/2010 03:18:02 PM
Draco:

The comparison to Dudley sets him up as distasteful. But it is strange to see how everything he says in the first meeting is so clearly just a repetition of what he has heard from others (his father, mainly, I suppose). He is saying "the right thing" based on the circles he is used to, and does not seem aware that it is not on outside of that circle. He is trying to bond with Harry and is rejected.

And then he is rejected again in the train, while his lackeys are standing by. Like what she does with Dumbledore, Rowling gives the character first, then the background information: Ron only tells us Draco's family is Bad after Draco has shown himself to be bad, or at least contemptible, on his own.

As you say, the things he's saying on the first meeting are just the things his parents have been telling him all that time. I wonder if he's met Crabbe and Goyle before? It's tempting to see his situation when boarding the train as really rather similar to Harry's - alone, in a large group of children that he's never really had any contact with, and looking to make friends despite the handicap of his background. Then he meets Crabbe and Goyle and that altercation with Harry, Ron and Hermione happens - but if he hasn't met Crabbe and Goyle yet, all Draco is really doing in that scene is try to show off to his new friends the way his father always does, because that's how he's been taught to act. Then his early associations and those of his father determine his later course in Hogwarts, largely thanks to the system with the four houses which encourages clique formation and rivalry and strife, and in the end the evolution to budding Death Eater is a fairly natural one. The way his father buys him a spot on the Quidditch team in Chamber of Secrets is lame and pathetic in the eyes of the protagonists, but it also tells us that Draco is under significant pressure from his parents, who are interfering more with his life at Hogwarts and with his friends than he might actually like. I think he's rather lonely, despite the appearances, from the start, not just in book six. His bought or wowed friends can't be much of a support, especially not in competitive and merciless Slytherin.


He cannot possibly enjoy the company of Crabbe and Goyle. That is fairly obvious from the conversation we get when Harry and Ron sneak into the Slytherin common room as them. Yet they appear to be his closest friends. It could be that he has met them through his father, or that he knows their parents are affiliated with his father. But that is rather too much politics for a 11-yearold to handle, I feel.

One of Rowling's greatest strengths, as has been mentioned in several posts here already, is to write a children's story that has additional layers for adults without giving the children the feeling they're missing anything. I suppose it could be the benefit of hindsight that creates most of the shades of grey in these earliest novels, but for both Draco and Snape there is some grey even in this book when viewed alone.


Yes.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
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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 3341 Views
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Characterisation *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:02 AM 1022 Views
My thoughts, such as they are. - 12/07/2010 04:09:55 PM 1841 Views
Agree. She gave us enough to make it interesting. - 12/07/2010 06:45:46 PM 1798 Views
Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM 1777 Views
You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM 1735 Views
Re: You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 08:51:45 AM 1652 Views
Writing style *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:18 AM 1010 Views
A couple of points. - 12/07/2010 04:10:20 PM 1664 Views
It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 07:18:14 PM 1853 Views
True. - 12/07/2010 07:36:49 PM 1775 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:31:11 PM 2018 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:51:23 PM 1604 Views
Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM 1828 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 08:54:40 AM 1783 Views
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Indeed. - 13/07/2010 01:15:23 PM 1606 Views
Early themes *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:37 AM 1052 Views
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Re: - 12/07/2010 07:44:56 PM 1604 Views
Chapters 4-10: Making Friends at Hogwarts *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:58 AM 951 Views
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I'd forgotten how annoying Hermione was - 14/07/2010 01:48:13 PM 1705 Views
Me too. - 14/07/2010 04:30:13 PM 1643 Views
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Some thoughts before I run off to the library again - 14/07/2010 06:11:45 PM 1829 Views
Good points - 14/07/2010 08:45:56 PM 1766 Views
It's interesting to look at the beginning of the story from Draco's point of view. - 26/07/2010 03:08:38 PM 1934 Views
Re: It's interesting to look at the beginning of the story from Draco's point of view. - 26/07/2010 03:18:02 PM 1575 Views
What about the magic? - 14/07/2010 08:58:51 AM 1700 Views
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Re: The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 08:53:08 PM 1874 Views
There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 01:29:49 AM 1797 Views
I agree - 15/07/2010 04:51:05 AM 1758 Views
Re: I agree - 15/07/2010 05:44:41 AM 1633 Views
Re: There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 08:12:40 AM 1910 Views
I think - 14/07/2010 04:34:30 PM 1627 Views
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Re: Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 08:51:06 PM 1614 Views
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I really need a remembrall. - 14/07/2010 08:57:10 PM 1800 Views
I felt bad for Neville. - 14/07/2010 09:03:49 PM 1781 Views
Indeed. - 14/07/2010 09:05:40 PM 1645 Views
But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 02:51:47 AM 1913 Views
I know, right! - 15/07/2010 06:41:01 AM 1630 Views
Exactly. - 15/07/2010 03:22:18 PM 1531 Views
Re: But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 08:15:55 AM 1641 Views
Ah, see - 15/07/2010 03:23:49 PM 1595 Views
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What'd you think of the ending? *NM* - 15/07/2010 05:21:38 PM 933 Views
Loved it. - 15/07/2010 05:56:06 PM 1685 Views
Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 07:14:08 PM 1677 Views
I hear you - 15/07/2010 08:22:05 PM 1702 Views
Re: Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 08:48:21 PM 1677 Views
I can clarify some stuff for you - 15/07/2010 09:14:07 PM 1707 Views
One of the most sublime, wonderful moments of any book - 15/07/2010 08:18:29 PM 1540 Views
Yes! - 15/07/2010 10:39:11 PM 1715 Views
Lovely - 15/07/2010 09:00:11 PM 1741 Views
Haha - 15/07/2010 09:16:16 PM 1843 Views
Re: Haha - 15/07/2010 09:24:06 PM 1723 Views
But I thought all girls were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? - 15/07/2010 09:26:53 PM 1634 Views
Oh, we are. - 15/07/2010 09:35:17 PM 1527 Views
Ah like vodka vs. wine coolers? *NM* - 15/07/2010 09:48:26 PM 924 Views
Gin - 15/07/2010 09:49:33 PM 1643 Views
I was 16. - 15/07/2010 10:49:33 PM 1538 Views
So was I - 15/07/2010 10:54:24 PM 1573 Views
Honestly, dumbledore is a bit of an ass... - 15/07/2010 10:48:32 PM 1541 Views
Heresy! - 15/07/2010 10:55:28 PM 1577 Views
As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 03:05:05 AM 1838 Views
Re: As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 11:14:56 AM 1712 Views
In fairness, it's Hogwarts itself that is all but impregnable. - 26/07/2010 03:55:02 PM 1660 Views
A funny thing I noticed - 15/07/2010 09:00:42 PM 1759 Views
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Overall thoughts for the book - 12/07/2010 08:31:37 AM 1714 Views
Foreshadowing and setting up the future - 12/07/2010 08:32:10 AM 1628 Views
Harry's anger management issues? - 12/07/2010 07:14:58 PM 1685 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:40:40 PM 1726 Views
Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:14:20 PM 1787 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:55:32 PM 1704 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:02:59 PM 1638 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:04:42 PM 1763 Views
I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:22:54 PM 1807 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:39:25 PM 1749 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:45:32 PM 1733 Views
~smug~ - 13/07/2010 02:09:15 PM 1698 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 02:10:41 PM 1938 Views
This response implies the experience of being both?? - 13/07/2010 03:23:29 PM 1679 Views
On Ginny: - 12/07/2010 10:36:47 PM 1757 Views
So much (chapters 1-3) *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:35:57 PM 1919 Views
Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:38:05 PM 1734 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:08 PM 1792 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:53 PM 1599 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:44:16 PM 1499 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 04:41:12 AM 1614 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 08:55:09 AM 1580 Views
I missed the school roof thing this time around too! Good catch there. *NM* - 12/07/2010 09:22:21 PM 943 Views
The thing that tipped me off - 12/07/2010 09:53:01 PM 1691 Views
Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 09:18:35 PM 1889 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:30:23 PM 1705 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:55:01 PM 1657 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 11:05:59 PM 1681 Views
I can answer your consistency question! - 15/07/2010 02:35:42 AM 1815 Views
You are a clever cookie. - 15/07/2010 08:14:25 AM 1682 Views
Yes - 15/07/2010 03:30:36 PM 1529 Views
Ooh, yes. - 16/07/2010 12:19:13 AM 1507 Views
More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 08:55:34 PM 1573 Views
Re: More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1634 Views
Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:23:15 PM 1770 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:28:04 PM 1680 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 07:12:39 PM 1928 Views
I like it. Thank you. - 20/07/2010 12:53:37 AM 1840 Views
What made this book (and the rest of the series) such a success? - 12/07/2010 08:33:00 AM 1785 Views
I have no idea *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:47:58 PM 1840 Views
I agree... - 12/07/2010 09:19:59 PM 1867 Views
It has tons of things in it that every kid dreams of doing - 14/07/2010 01:56:05 PM 1795 Views
Kid? - 14/07/2010 02:01:30 PM 1800 Views
so do I. I was just trying to act mature *NM* - 14/07/2010 02:08:01 PM 1127 Views
Not even just the super stuff Deadsy mentions. - 14/07/2010 04:38:46 PM 1925 Views
It's a simple, well-done little book. - 12/07/2010 07:46:48 PM 1776 Views
you don't read instructions, do you? - 12/07/2010 07:49:24 PM 1838 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:50:23 PM 1762 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:51:40 PM 1772 Views
Awwww! - 12/07/2010 07:52:19 PM 1676 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:52:52 PM 1797 Views
Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:50:44 PM 1821 Views
Re: Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:52:21 PM 1805 Views
Pff. - 12/07/2010 07:54:54 PM 1793 Views
*NM* - 12/07/2010 07:56:03 PM 1131 Views
When did you pick up this book? - 12/07/2010 11:30:46 PM 1716 Views
I was 10. - 13/07/2010 04:13:44 AM 1870 Views
I was 16. - 13/07/2010 08:24:02 AM 1791 Views
1999 - 13/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 1780 Views
What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:15:40 PM 1907 Views
Re: What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:17:40 PM 1766 Views
Just before the first movie came out - 13/07/2010 02:17:42 PM 1935 Views
When Prisoner of Azkaban was a hardback. - 13/07/2010 02:23:57 PM 1795 Views
Just after Goblet of Fire was published. - 13/07/2010 11:50:38 PM 1847 Views
Just before Goblet of Fire came out. - 14/07/2010 04:04:21 AM 1816 Views
The first five were out, waited for HBP. - 14/07/2010 06:20:39 AM 1936 Views
You're making me want to talk about toadface - 14/07/2010 02:06:25 PM 1832 Views
Sorry! - 15/07/2010 06:36:11 AM 1869 Views
I held out quite awhile because I don't like "fads" - 14/07/2010 02:04:37 PM 1749 Views
Lol! - 14/07/2010 08:54:47 PM 1865 Views
I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 06:39:16 AM 1860 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 10:01:04 AM 2039 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 05:44:28 PM 1915 Views
I would have, if I had known there was hype. I know I would have. - 15/07/2010 03:28:50 PM 1891 Views
- 15/07/2010 05:47:01 PM 1926 Views
I think I was first! - 23/07/2010 07:05:08 PM 1879 Views
Aged 13 or 14 - a while before the first movie (which was Christmas 2001). *NM* - 26/07/2010 04:13:55 PM 1108 Views
Jesus Christ. - 26/07/2010 05:04:46 PM 2011 Views
^That was me. *NM* - 26/07/2010 09:55:49 PM 1103 Views
I was going to ask if it was. *NM* - 26/07/2010 10:04:59 PM 1089 Views
Suggestions for the Re-read - 12/07/2010 08:33:25 AM 1814 Views
I like it so far - 13/07/2010 10:16:49 AM 1821 Views
I can try that for the next book. - 13/07/2010 11:21:01 PM 1804 Views
Can we get chapter discussions everyday? *NM* - 15/07/2010 06:40:30 PM 1071 Views
Inconsistencies Re: the Potter's death... - 15/07/2010 05:16:45 AM 2135 Views
Because they were tricked? They considered Peter and Sirius to be brothers. - 15/07/2010 07:05:27 AM 1791 Views
That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 01:08:40 AM 1719 Views
Take it up with Rowling, since you don't believe me. *NM* - 16/07/2010 08:19:58 AM 1020 Views
What's there to believe? - 18/07/2010 06:03:13 AM 1801 Views
Re: That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 09:37:59 AM 1928 Views
Also - 16/07/2010 11:17:51 AM 2143 Views
You are correct! There is no inconsistency - 17/07/2010 04:17:35 AM 1845 Views
Huh? - 18/07/2010 05:57:58 AM 1719 Views
But Camilla explained it! - 18/07/2010 09:27:55 AM 2047 Views
Correction - 18/07/2010 10:58:59 AM 1833 Views
I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:42:18 PM 1736 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:51:36 PM 1753 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:17:04 PM 2047 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:28:27 PM 1746 Views
That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:17:14 PM 1817 Views
Re: That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:20:44 PM 1691 Views
Yet... - 18/07/2010 07:47:56 PM 1761 Views
Re: Yet... - 18/07/2010 08:02:31 PM 1803 Views
To quote Dumbledore... - 19/07/2010 05:57:23 AM 1692 Views
Again... - 18/07/2010 07:35:10 PM 1989 Views
Re: Again... - 18/07/2010 08:00:55 PM 1778 Views
Re: Again... - 19/07/2010 06:33:13 AM 1978 Views
Re: Again... - 20/07/2010 04:45:16 PM 1800 Views
Yet another load of bosh. - 21/07/2010 01:00:14 AM 1780 Views
Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 06:48:45 AM 1882 Views
Re: Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 04:19:35 PM 1793 Views
My two cents - 19/07/2010 06:11:30 AM 1854 Views
It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 12:11:20 AM 2228 Views
Re: It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 09:20:46 AM 1687 Views
You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 04:23:31 PM 1754 Views
Re: You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 05:06:43 PM 1989 Views
I don't know that I'd call it "see through Pettigrew"... - 26/07/2010 06:22:19 PM 1778 Views
^That was me, too. Oh, dear. - 26/07/2010 09:56:43 PM 1945 Views
Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 18/07/2010 07:14:21 PM 1742 Views
Re: Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 26/07/2010 05:07:48 PM 2184 Views
^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 09:58:07 PM 1786 Views
Re: ^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 10:05:41 PM 1718 Views
- 26/07/2010 10:07:36 PM 1604 Views

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