Rowling gets experimental with her writing here, and it seems to be in due to the focalisation through Harry. There is an astonishing use of ellipses during the fight. It also shows up in Voldemort's way of talking. I am not sure what to make of it. I think it makes the scene more disjointed (which fits), but I cannot put my finger on why. Maybe it is an attempt to express Harry's confusion and shock.
I would imagine so. Voldemort's own ellipses are just him building up tension and enjoying the sound of his own voice, though, I'd say. But in the descriptions, yeah - that and describing in details thoughts or events that take split seconds.
Yes, it is quite effective. But I am not sure it was a good idea to use the same device to demonstrate Voldemort's pauses. Hmm. Unless the signalling of them in that way is due to Harry's hyper-alertness at this point, which makes sense, I suppose.
More importantly, there is the ``gleam of something like triumph in Dumbledore's eyes''. I don't remember the relevance of this in future books, but I am sure there is something. I can feel it just outside my field of vision.
It has to do with the Horcruxes and with Harry's returning from the dead in book seven, but I don't remember the details either.
Yes. I feel that there is something unsatisfying about that explanation. We'll have to see when we get to it.
The dementor. Was it acting on order when it killed Crouch? Voldemort's orders? Or did it just recognise him as legitimate prey?
If it did act on orders, the orders must've been Fudge's, not Voldemort's. Voldemort will get control of the dementors soon, but not just yet. Fudge, on the other hand, evidently doesn't much regret what happened. It's not really clear if we're supposed to infer that it may not have been an accident.
I cannot quite see Fudge as being devious enough to order it as a cover-up, but he might have ordered it as a precaution for his own safety.
We also get Fudge's threat to interfere at Hogwarts, which is the main part of the following book.
Yeah. I wonder if Dumbledore was wise to do as he did. He seems to throw caution to the winds and try to bully Fudge into doing what has to be done, after he sees his star has fallen too far to get it done with more subtle means. The result is that Fudge not merely fails to act against Voldemort, but also gets resentful and tries to actively undermine Dumbledore. It seems like a big gamble... but perhaps it was worth making the gamble. Dumbledore is confident Fudge can't really cause him serious trouble, and thinks it's worth risking that for the small chance that he can still convince him. Really shouldn't have happened in front of an audience, though.
Yes.
And, shock of shocks, Harry is right about Snape going to spy on Voldemort. Cue fainting fits from all readers. I think this was actually used in an argument as proof that Snape must be evil.
*lol* Even a broken clock is right twice a day? 

Yes. Harry is right somewhat less often

Twice a year?
I also like how Harry gives his winnings to the twins. I wonder whether that moment is the whole reason why we had to endure the Bagman/twins plotline. To provide a good place for Harry to get rid of his winnings.
Hm, I don't know, I think Rowling's been planning the store thing for a while... and even with the twins' obvious financial acumen, that requires some serious starting funds to be realistic. Without the whole Bagman plotline they wouldn't have had enough money, either.
Hmmm. Maybe.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Four Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
16/08/2010 09:28:48 AM
- 4442 Views
Chapters 1-3: A different beginning
16/08/2010 09:30:26 AM
- 2068 Views
Early characters
16/08/2010 09:32:12 AM
- 2129 Views
Re: Early characters
16/08/2010 11:02:23 AM
- 2437 Views
Early plotting.
16/08/2010 09:32:52 AM
- 2133 Views
Re: Early plotting.
16/08/2010 11:02:09 AM
- 2232 Views
It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:38:14 AM
- 2238 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:47:16 AM
- 2233 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:16:16 PM
- 2462 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:36:30 PM
- 2132 Views
Re: Early plotting.
17/08/2010 01:15:43 AM
- 2111 Views
Any other comments/observations
16/08/2010 09:33:34 AM
- 2046 Views
Mob mentality and British euroscepticism.
16/08/2010 10:37:10 AM
- 2349 Views
people in groups and baffling violence. And the godawful recaps
16/08/2010 11:03:09 AM
- 2166 Views
Yeah, I agree about the recaps, they're pointless at this point. *NM*
16/08/2010 11:17:37 AM
- 1214 Views
Good news! HP really caught on after this book and so the last books don't have a recap! *NM*
16/08/2010 03:27:24 PM
- 1176 Views
Chapters 4-6 - The Weasleys
16/08/2010 09:33:57 AM
- 2115 Views
Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 08:22:33 AM
- 2149 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 11:07:43 AM
- 2223 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:18:30 PM
- 2190 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:24:41 PM
- 2181 Views
Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:44:19 PM
- 2285 Views
Re: Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:47:29 PM
- 2251 Views
Oh, I can think of a few more things that will prove relevant. But that's for tomorrow.
*NM*
17/08/2010 12:51:50 PM
- 1167 Views

And arguably another one of those fun names with a hidden meaning...
17/08/2010 07:47:43 PM
- 2111 Views
Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 08:23:53 AM
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Re: Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 11:10:22 AM
- 2195 Views
The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:29:50 PM
- 2231 Views
Re: The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:38:09 PM
- 2113 Views
I thought that might be it. Yeah, different names in the Dutch translation then. *NM*
17/08/2010 12:40:45 PM
- 1113 Views
Any other comments/observations.
17/08/2010 08:24:20 AM
- 2183 Views
Chapters 7-9 - The Quidditch World Cup and Death Eaters
16/08/2010 09:34:26 AM
- 2030 Views
Characters: Ministers, Mothers, other important people.
18/08/2010 12:44:16 AM
- 2138 Views
Plotting
18/08/2010 12:44:48 AM
- 2163 Views
Other stuff.
18/08/2010 12:45:13 AM
- 2102 Views
Krum Catching the Snitch
18/08/2010 02:28:58 AM
- 2216 Views
It makes a certain amount of sense, I think...
18/08/2010 01:23:46 PM
- 2118 Views
Clothes and other schools
18/08/2010 09:44:02 AM
- 2092 Views
There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:37:14 PM
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Re: There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:45:58 PM
- 2077 Views
Chapters 10-12: Back to Hogwarts and the Tri-Wizard Tournament. *NM*
16/08/2010 09:34:48 AM
- 1103 Views
Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. *NM*
19/08/2010 11:21:29 AM
- 1140 Views
Re: Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
19/08/2010 05:23:11 PM
- 2138 Views
Any other comments, observations or revelations? *NM*
19/08/2010 11:23:48 AM
- 1125 Views
There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 04:23:16 PM
- 2233 Views
Re: There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 05:41:04 PM
- 2203 Views
Chapters 13-15: First lessons, and the arrival of the foreign guests *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:09 AM
- 1080 Views
Characters: The Trio, Neville, Moody, first impressions of Karkarov and Maxime *NM*
20/08/2010 11:49:04 AM
- 1108 Views
Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 12:59:41 PM
- 2213 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:10:03 PM
- 2320 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:20:22 PM
- 2285 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:33:04 PM
- 2093 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:36:50 PM
- 2075 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
20/08/2010 11:51:43 AM
- 1113 Views
Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:04:01 PM
- 2098 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:55:29 PM
- 2252 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 02:04:07 PM
- 2338 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
20/08/2010 11:52:05 AM
- 1005 Views
Yes. Five things, actually. Magic, Snape, idiocy, apparating while presumed guilty aaand evil films.
20/08/2010 01:05:06 PM
- 2090 Views
Trelawney, or how one can be a Seer and not even know it.
20/08/2010 01:46:09 PM
- 2133 Views
Chapters 16-18: The Tri-Wizard Tournament begins *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:31 AM
- 1143 Views
Characters: The Champions, Hagrid, Karkarov, and of course Rita Skeeter in person *NM*
21/08/2010 01:10:53 PM
- 1124 Views
Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 01:50:12 PM
- 2137 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:24:02 PM
- 2116 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:40:39 PM
- 2095 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:06:43 PM
- 2371 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:10:53 PM
- 2130 Views
Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:31:49 PM
- 2325 Views
Re: Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:41:44 PM
- 2174 Views
The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:20:18 PM
- 2071 Views

Re: The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:22:26 PM
- 2261 Views

Definitely true
23/08/2010 10:02:46 PM
- 2326 Views
Re: Definitely true
24/08/2010 06:20:53 PM
- 2384 Views
Plotting and writing.
21/08/2010 01:12:24 PM
- 2405 Views
plotting both for the book alone and the series as a whole
21/08/2010 01:39:10 PM
- 2136 Views
Other comments, small details you noticed,...? *NM*
21/08/2010 01:12:53 PM
- 1127 Views
House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 01:35:38 PM
- 2421 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:55:10 PM
- 2247 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:59:55 PM
- 2348 Views
I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:02:47 PM
- 2309 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:08:40 PM
- 2342 Views
I associate blancmange more with Britain than with anywhere else...
21/08/2010 05:26:17 PM
- 2178 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:12:54 PM
- 2061 Views
No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:24:50 PM
- 2036 Views
Re: No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:39:06 PM
- 2396 Views
Hermione really comes into her own in this book.
27/08/2010 11:30:38 PM
- 1970 Views
Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:36:20 PM
- 2128 Views
Re: Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:48:19 PM
- 2151 Views
Chapters 19-21: The first task and House-Elves at Hogwarts *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:53 AM
- 1120 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Moody, Dobby and Winky,...
23/08/2010 10:40:21 AM
- 2085 Views
The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:07:50 AM
- 2101 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:35:56 AM
- 2201 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:44:08 AM
- 2382 Views
Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:19:21 AM
- 2046 Views
Re: Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:56:37 AM
- 2178 Views
Plotting and writing: the first task and other events *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:20 AM
- 1140 Views
Good plotting in this section
23/08/2010 11:08:50 AM
- 2198 Views
Anything else you want to comment on? *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:39 AM
- 1103 Views
I love that there is a book called Men Who Love Dragons Too Much. *NM*
23/08/2010 11:09:15 AM
- 1038 Views
Chapters 22-24: The - rather eventful - Yule Ball *NM*
16/08/2010 09:36:30 AM
- 1026 Views
Characters: The Trio, Champions and their dates, Karkarov, Hagrid and Olympe,...
24/08/2010 11:09:33 AM
- 2274 Views
Ron and Hermione, mainly.
24/08/2010 11:47:49 AM
- 2363 Views
Makes sense.
24/08/2010 01:15:37 PM
- 2084 Views

Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 03:53:20 PM
- 2071 Views

Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 05:00:59 PM
- 2173 Views

Plotting and writing: a bit of a lull in the tension, perhaps, but there's still a lot going on. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:11:49 AM
- 1182 Views
Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 11:48:30 AM
- 2277 Views
Re: Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 02:18:04 PM
- 2104 Views
Whatever else you want to say about these three chapters. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:12:33 AM
- 1187 Views
Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 11:49:16 AM
- 2239 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 02:27:51 PM
- 2137 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 04:15:15 PM
- 2199 Views
Ron's lasso comment is brilliant. Absolute genius.
24/08/2010 02:23:37 PM
- 2139 Views
Lasso comment?
24/08/2010 04:20:35 PM
- 2141 Views
When discussing methods to separate girls from their gang.
24/08/2010 04:27:47 PM
- 2137 Views
Ah. Hehe. Yes.
24/08/2010 04:30:34 PM
- 2218 Views
It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:45:34 PM
- 2286 Views
Re: It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:48:50 PM
- 2172 Views
Holy crap.
25/08/2010 02:44:57 PM
- 2089 Views
Yeah, I don't know if the Google pictures are entirely representative...
25/08/2010 03:06:25 PM
- 2215 Views
Chapters 25-27: The second task and Padfoot's return
16/08/2010 09:36:55 AM
- 2119 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Fleur, Sirius,... *NM*
25/08/2010 11:18:49 AM
- 1062 Views
Snape, Percy, Hermione, Ron, Mrs Weasley and Sirius.
25/08/2010 05:31:18 PM
- 2059 Views
I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:41:43 PM
- 2303 Views
Re: I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:45:30 PM
- 2081 Views
Agreed. Snape is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read
25/08/2010 05:57:12 PM
- 2169 Views
Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 10:54:11 AM
- 2001 Views
Re: Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 11:21:59 AM
- 2128 Views
Plotting and writing: clues, red herrings and recapitulation *NM*
25/08/2010 11:19:47 AM
- 1124 Views
Merpeople and the second task.
25/08/2010 11:34:40 AM
- 2158 Views
And something else I never understood about the second task
25/08/2010 02:32:51 PM
- 2180 Views
That's a good point, yeah...
25/08/2010 03:07:30 PM
- 2067 Views
Maybe they should have had a magical big screen projection of what was going on in the lake lol
25/08/2010 03:57:48 PM
- 2120 Views
Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:23:30 PM
- 2112 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:40:39 PM
- 2190 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:42:52 PM
- 2085 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:09:20 AM
- 2079 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:17:36 AM
- 2231 Views
Marauder's Map.
05/09/2010 05:27:17 AM
- 2128 Views
Other comments. *NM*
25/08/2010 11:20:11 AM
- 1114 Views
Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:24:26 PM
- 2169 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:36:29 PM
- 2147 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:42:20 PM
- 2256 Views
Chapters 28-30: Moving towards the climax *NM*
16/08/2010 09:37:22 AM
- 1055 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Karkarov, the Crouch family,... *NM*
26/08/2010 12:15:59 PM
- 1149 Views
Madame Maxime, Crouch, Snape, Twins, Fudge and Neville
26/08/2010 02:48:04 PM
- 2129 Views
Plotting and writing: increasing signs of danger, and revelations about the past. *NM*
26/08/2010 12:16:50 PM
- 1119 Views
Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 02:50:29 PM
- 2133 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:38:53 PM
- 2368 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:51:32 PM
- 2172 Views
Chapters 31-33: The third task
16/08/2010 09:38:01 AM
- 2065 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Voldemort, Wormtail,,... *NM*
27/08/2010 01:32:11 PM
- 1149 Views
Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 03:50:03 PM
- 2030 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:09:48 PM
- 2026 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:23:14 PM
- 2086 Views
Plotting and writing: thrilling action, but also a fair bit of infodump/flashback. *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:13 PM
- 1119 Views
Stuff happens.
27/08/2010 03:50:33 PM
- 2071 Views
Riddle Family.
05/09/2010 05:39:29 AM
- 2082 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:39 PM
- 1106 Views
Chapters 34-37: The climax and the aftermath *NM*
16/08/2010 09:38:22 AM
- 1092 Views
Characters: Well, pretty much all of them, I guess. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:04:41 AM
- 1119 Views
Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, Ron and Hermione
28/08/2010 11:57:25 AM
- 2158 Views
Plotting and writing: tying up, explanations and setting up the future books. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:05:33 AM
- 1100 Views
Revelations and then some
28/08/2010 12:02:36 PM
- 2102 Views
Re: Revelations and then some
29/08/2010 03:22:46 PM
- 2091 Views
Re: Revelations and then some
29/08/2010 03:37:45 PM
- 2212 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
28/08/2010 11:06:03 AM
- 1137 Views
Two questions and one other thing.
28/08/2010 12:03:14 PM
- 2235 Views
The book as a whole: overall thoughts, comments and obversations
16/08/2010 09:39:24 AM
- 2125 Views
What do/did you think of Rowling's writing in this book?
16/08/2010 09:40:03 AM
- 2162 Views
I think she has more room to display her talent in this book.
28/08/2010 11:27:20 AM
- 2225 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
16/08/2010 09:41:01 AM
- 2270 Views
Is it possible / easy to make the post an Announcement while it's ongoing?
17/08/2010 03:08:31 PM
- 2118 Views
When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 11:09:07 AM
- 2436 Views
Re: When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 12:05:31 PM
- 2367 Views