Re: She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
Camilla Send a noteboard - 28/07/2010 02:15:24 PM
I think she brings an interesting dynamic with her. She is infuriating, yes, but not in the way Dobby is. I keep wondering what her motives are. Is she taunting Harry, seeing how far she can push him, or is she simply drunk and not aware of the effect of her words? It is interesting that she so blithely insults Petunia's sister, for example, and Petunia by extension, in her talk of bad blood.
Part of her - the almost military manner, the strong suggestions that she's a life-long bachelor, her dogs - fits in with a type of woman one encounters at times in British books (not so much in books from elsewhere, though ). But generally those women are tough but fair, and think highly of sportsmanship (in sports or elsewhere). McGonagall fits the description almost to a T (funny expression, that), and in books like Enid Blyton's or Agatha Christie's (yes, so I read much more of those than of actual respected literature, sue me ) there's tons of these women.
Yes. They tend to be upper-class, though. Marge is decidedly middle class, going by Vernon and Petunia. Although she does wear tweed, which would suggest she might belong in that group of women after all. Hmmm.
But since Marge is Vernon's sister here, Rowling seems to omit the tough-but-fair thing, and gives her a mean and petty streak instead, and lets her cuddle and shamelessly spoil Dudley, which makes for an odd combination with the rest.
Hmmm, yes.
Her motives are unclear as well, I agree. Neither her apparent love for Dudley nor her hate for Harry make too much sense (though obviously Vernon will have told her all kinds of lies about Harry). Some people simply like to pick on others because they're bored or to make conversation, and I guess Rowling made her like that.
I have her pegged as a mean drunk at the moment. She seems to get more vicious the more cognac she imbibes.
I like it when Harry finally takes a stand. In fact, his ``I've had enough!'' had my full support. Usually when Harry stands up for himself/someone else, I am less inclined to support him, as it is clearly the wrong reaction most of the time. But here it was spot on. Not very good for long term planning, of course, but the reaction was appropriate to (and understandable in light of) the provocation. I'll get back to that in the writing style section.
It's definitely an early sign of his troubles keeping his temper under control, which will keep getting him into trouble until very late in the series. He had full justification, but then he often does later as well, that's kind of besides the point. I wonder if Rowling was already planning that to become as big a problem as it does later...
True, although we have already seen it in the first book (not so much in the second?) in his reaction to Snape, especially.
Regarding Harry, I have also always been rather intrigued by how Neville's name is the first to spring to his mind when he is trying to remain incognito. This is interesting in part in view of later revelation that Neville could have had Harry's place if Voldemort had gone for him, but mainly because it offers straaaaaange insights into the deep dark recesses of Harry's subconscious. What those are I am not prepared to say.
Yeah, not very flattering to Neville, that. Harry respects Neville more than most people do, but still not very much yet at this point, I dare say.
Hmmm. Maybe. Do you think that is why he picked his name? Could it be that he identifies with him at this point? That he feels powerless and friendless and that that ties him to Neville in some way?
I wonder what made the Dursleys promise to take Harry back, whether Petunia worked her "he's staying" magic, like she does later (book 5?), or whether they were so desperate to get the strange magical people out of their house they would agree to anything.
I think the Dursleys for all their mistreatment and abuse of Harry are still reluctant to kick their cousin out or refuse to let him come back. It's only when his presence there starts to actually endanger the rest of the family in book five, that kicking him out is on the table.
Probably.
The traits that will make Fudge dangerous later on are there, but only in a rather benevolent state. I am not sure how to explain it better. I'm thinking of how he dismisses the problem of Harry's underage magic and bends the rules in order to get it his way. Because they are helping, rather than hindering, Harry, it is not as salient.
Yeah, his pomposity and patronizing attitude are clear here, as is his tendency to shy away from difficult problems.
Indeed. Of course, we saw his bad side when Hagrid was imprisoned in the last book, so we already know it is there.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
28/07/2010 12:00:14 PM
- 2656 Views
Chapters 1-3. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:01:10 PM
- 895 Views
Characters.
28/07/2010 12:03:36 PM
- 1501 Views
Aunt Marge
28/07/2010 01:13:34 PM
- 1414 Views
She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 01:40:37 PM
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Re: She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 02:15:24 PM
- 1583 Views
Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:01:46 PM
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Re: Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:19:41 PM
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True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
28/07/2010 02:46:38 PM
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Re: True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
07/08/2010 02:53:43 PM
- 1662 Views
I think, maybe, it's comparing with other wizarding schools in the world.
08/08/2010 11:35:31 AM
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Colin Creevey is working class.
28/07/2010 06:32:45 PM
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Correct me if I'm wrong
28/07/2010 06:38:20 PM
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Themes, if we can discern any already this early in the book. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:04:47 PM
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First impressions on the news of Sirius Black's escape. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:05:26 PM
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Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:21:32 PM
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Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:44:50 PM
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Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 02:22:17 PM
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Writing style.
28/07/2010 12:07:24 PM
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It is a better book.
28/07/2010 02:00:54 PM
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Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:09:33 PM
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Re: Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:23:03 PM
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Foreshadowings, details that turn out to be important, etc. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:08:07 PM
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That is very well done in this book, I thought.
28/07/2010 02:08:21 PM
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Dont foget the most important foreshadowing!
28/07/2010 02:15:35 PM
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Chapters 4-6. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:45 PM
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Characters.
29/07/2010 10:23:28 AM
- 1392 Views
LupinLupinLupinLupinLupinLupin!
29/07/2010 11:48:55 AM
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Hmmm I'm wondering...is Lupin one of your fav characters? *NM*
29/07/2010 02:36:20 PM
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Could be, could be.
29/07/2010 02:37:41 PM
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Well it was subtle so I don't think many people will catch it *NM*
29/07/2010 02:41:38 PM
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Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
30/07/2010 01:48:06 PM
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Re: Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
08/08/2010 11:05:02 AM
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Writing style.
29/07/2010 10:26:07 AM
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"Plotting" might be a more interesting discussion point
29/07/2010 11:57:20 AM
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Introduction of the Dementors. *NM*
29/07/2010 10:26:59 AM
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They are Rowling's most terrifying creation
29/07/2010 12:00:34 PM
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Without his knowledge or consent of course *NM*
29/07/2010 02:31:47 PM
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Yes
29/07/2010 02:34:01 PM
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I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:40:36 PM
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Re: I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:42:09 PM
- 1324 Views
Ooo I didn't think of that! I like you. We can be friends
29/07/2010 02:47:31 PM
- 1332 Views
Re: "He's at Hogwarts."
04/08/2010 11:51:05 PM
- 1312 Views
I don't know the answer, but a good place to look would be... (book 4 spoilers)
05/08/2010 12:33:20 AM
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Chapters 7-9. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:59 PM
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Characters.
30/07/2010 02:07:20 PM
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Re: Characters.
30/07/2010 02:50:07 PM
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Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:10:07 PM
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Re: Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:12:06 PM
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Other things you want to comment on. *NM*
30/07/2010 02:13:36 PM
- 754 Views
30/07/2010 02:51:13 PM
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Good spell and great scene with the Bogart.
30/07/2010 06:19:16 PM
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Chapters 10-12. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:18 PM
- 664 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
02/08/2010 12:50:56 PM
- 630 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
02/08/2010 01:36:49 PM
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I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:50:03 PM
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Re: I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:53:48 PM
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I suspect....
03/08/2010 03:17:32 PM
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Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,... *NM*
02/08/2010 12:52:30 PM
- 752 Views
The Marauder's Map seems to be able to do more on this first view than later on...
02/08/2010 01:23:19 PM
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Re: The Marauder's Map seems to be able to do more on this first view than later on...
02/08/2010 01:40:47 PM
- 1373 Views
I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:44:13 PM
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Re: I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:46:38 PM
- 1528 Views
It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:47:55 PM
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Re: It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:57:55 PM
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No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:28:11 PM
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Re: No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:31:14 PM
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Agree about the Twins and my take on Harry's impression of James.
02/08/2010 02:50:11 PM
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Re: Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,...
02/08/2010 01:36:56 PM
- 1293 Views
Chapters 13-15. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:57 PM
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Characters.
03/08/2010 05:25:47 PM
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Re: Characters.
03/08/2010 05:29:32 PM
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OK. I don't like how one-sided the Slytherins are.
08/08/2010 02:30:22 PM
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Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:37:18 PM
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Re: Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:45:30 PM
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There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:08:51 PM
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Re: There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:12:23 PM
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But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:06:53 PM
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Re: But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:10:28 PM
- 1366 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:12 PM
- 727 Views
Crookshanks.
08/08/2010 02:22:36 PM
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I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 08:16:01 PM
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Re: I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 09:01:18 PM
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Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:20:18 PM
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Re: Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:21:37 PM
- 1263 Views
Thanks, thought I was loosing it... well, maybe I am, but I can still read.
11/08/2010 04:26:31 PM
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The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:37 PM
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Re: The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss.
03/08/2010 05:36:35 PM
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I really enjoyed the first quidditch match.
03/08/2010 05:40:37 PM
- 1285 Views
Chapters 16-18. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:11 PM
- 765 Views
Characters.
04/08/2010 04:16:39 PM
- 1398 Views
Plotting and writing.
04/08/2010 04:18:52 PM
- 1261 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
04/08/2010 04:19:15 PM
- 866 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
04/08/2010 05:19:45 PM
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Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:09:23 PM
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Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:11:43 PM
- 1378 Views
Chapters 19-20. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:27 PM
- 727 Views
Characters.
05/08/2010 02:40:22 PM
- 1156 Views
Re: Characters.
05/08/2010 02:45:53 PM
- 1610 Views
See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:04:24 PM
- 1715 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:13:21 PM
- 1427 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:54:31 PM
- 1818 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 05:01:52 PM
- 1641 Views
Something I've only just realized about Snape... (massive book six and seven spoilers)
05/08/2010 02:53:15 PM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:40:42 PM
- 614 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
05/08/2010 02:48:02 PM
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I think it's a good thing she explains her clues.
05/08/2010 03:09:59 PM
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Other thoughts. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:41:01 PM
- 687 Views
killing
05/08/2010 02:48:33 PM
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Chapters 21-22. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:42 PM
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Plotting and writing.
06/08/2010 05:04:14 PM
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And everything else you noticed and want to comment on. *NM*
06/08/2010 05:04:46 PM
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Overall thoughts. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:14:03 PM
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Overarching plot and themes. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:18:27 PM
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How good a book is this - compared to the rest of the series, and compared to YA books in general? *NM*
28/07/2010 01:19:06 PM
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More of a question, really
01/08/2010 10:40:23 PM
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I think this is situational and a sad commentary on his home life.
02/08/2010 03:01:49 PM
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Well, but the question still remains
02/08/2010 03:04:01 PM
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I suppose this is more or less the right place for this.
04/08/2010 11:59:45 PM
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I had totally forgotten about that choir and the Ray Bradbury reference.
05/08/2010 12:37:09 AM
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Okay, so possibly a Shakespeare reference also used by Bradbury. Whatever. *NM*
05/08/2010 12:37:56 AM
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Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 06:46:26 PM
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Re: Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 07:16:37 PM
- 1456 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
28/07/2010 06:14:49 PM
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I knew I was gonna forget something.
28/07/2010 06:55:50 PM
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Perhaps
29/07/2010 09:29:53 AM
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I considered that, but it seemed overly non-trusting, and nobody has posted in them yet? *NM*
29/07/2010 10:12:23 AM
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<Tattoos "Poor Impulse Control" on your forehead>
29/07/2010 11:00:07 AM
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I think a little break might be a good idea. Give people a chance to catch up.
02/08/2010 11:46:13 PM
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Re: I think a little break might be a good idea. Give people a chance to catch up.
02/08/2010 11:59:20 PM
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I think I should make clear, just in case, that I don't mean immediately.
03/08/2010 05:11:26 PM
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Yes
03/08/2010 05:13:10 PM
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