The OotP Meme - how could I resist?
Jun. 23rd, 2003 10:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
icarusI don't have time for this... yet... I must... I've told CLS to never get a Live Journal. She has no idea how addictive this is.
1. Describe in five words or less how you feel about Order of the Phoenix. (your initial reaction)
Satiated. Pleased. Sad. Wounded. Thrilled.
2. What are your feelings on Harry's personality? Do you think he is overly cynical, depressed, etc. . . .?
Realistic. JKR has portrayed beautifully the isolation of being a teenager, in Harry's case it's exaggerated because of his circumstances. I hope he begins to let his friends back in again. He needs them.
3. Do you think Order of the Phoenix is appropriate for children 13 and younger? Why or why not?
Yes. Kids are more sophisticated than we give them credit for, and JKR really understands a kids point of view. It would be wrong to rob them of that, and arrogantly give them more superficial Disney. JKR knows that being a kid hurts, and growing up hurts more.
4. List your five most hated characters (either in Book 5 or the whole series, non-humans can be included).
1. Umbrige (of course, I'm supposed to hate her)
2. Fudge
I don't hate Tom Riddle or Voldemort. Isn't that odd?
5. Percy turned away from his family. Will he come crawling back to them now or . . .?
No. He is a very well-drawn social climber, very young and arrogant, who is encumbered (from his point of view) with an embarrassing family. He doesn't see yet that he, no matter how hard he tries, will always be an outsider in the higher levels of society. He's at an age where most people think they're smarter and better than their parents, and he left the nest rather -- harshly. He loves his family though, deep down. Remember how he was when Ron was rescued from the lake? He'll come around. He just needs to be humbled at this point.
He really hasn't learned his lesson yet. But remember, Percy is - what? - 20? This is what kids that age do. I've seen it a thousand times. His departure is a little more dramatic than most, but remember that his mom really had the apron strings wrapped around his neck. Part of this is a young man desperately breaking away from her, when he doesn't want to.
6. What did you think of the new DADA's punishment? Why didn't Harry nor Lee complain?
That is really strange. Pride. And an instinctive sense that it would be worse if they did. They read her right. She's a sadist.
7. What do you think of James and Lily now?
Opinion has dropped. But they were on such a pedestal, it's sort of a relief that they're real.
8. Has your opinion (which is probably not too good) of Petunia Dursley changed? If yes, how so?
Improved. She has some family loyalty after all... looks like she has guts, when it counts.
9. What's the meaning of Snape's nickname in your opinion?
Great question! I think that the marauders either caught him crying at one point, or beat him up until he was on the verge of tears. He was much more fragile as a teenager and child than he is now. And he's always been pretty... brittle.
10. What do you think of the character death? Do you think s/he will return? The "death" of this person was vague and not very final; however, remember that JKR said she cried over this character's death.
It was needed. For Harry to have the adult responsibilities he's saddled with, as a writer JKR had to remove the parental roles in his life. I think that the 'Death Chamber' as Dumbledore called it was an excution chamber. Look at the courtroom layout. And everyone one there besides Harry seemed to know what was behind that curtain. And only the ones who'd seen death (Harry, Luna, probably Neville too) could hear the whispering behind the curtain. I think what happened was that Sirius was hit with a simple Stupify spell, but fell backwards into the curtain of death. As he fell Bellatrix knew what was going to happen to him.
She left it open for Sirius to return. It's possible. But not likely.
11. Do you think fanfiction will be hurt by Book 5? Do you see any new pairings arising? Do you see any huge ships falling apart?
Hurt by it? Are you kidding? The flood has begun! The redeemed!Draco characterisation has taken a small hit. Ron/Hermione has taken a wee hit, but that won't stop anyone. The twins are going to be very popular all of the sudden. Luna, (and unfortunately Tonks), will shipped left and right. Ginny has a personality. Alas, I was hoping JKR would kill her off. Ah, well, there was little chance of that.
12. What was your favourite chapter in Order of the Phoenix? Why?
Snape's Worst Memory. I write Harry/Snape slash. Need you ask why?
Seriously, I think for a kid who has diefied his father, adored his godfather and demonized Snape it was powerful to see James as suddenly not only imperfect, but someone he wouldn't like. Seeing Snape as a teenager as the sort he'd rescue was astonishing. I loved how the Perfect James Potter image was shattered.
It's unusual because with kids, even when they see their parents' faults, there's some distance. They don't see their parents as equals to themselves because of the age difference. But here, Harry witnessed his father as someone his own age, and thus judged on the same standard of his peers. James did not measure up.
13. Talk about Fred and George's "flight."
For the flashy career they've chosen, it's ideal. They are now infamous. It can only help the reputation of Weasley Wizard Weazes. Quite frankly, the boys are so sales-savvy, I'm of the firm opinion they damn well know this.
14. Give some thoughts on Ron.
Where did his temper go? His spirit? His sarcasm? That wasn't Ron, that was Rupert Grint. I loved seeing him as the slightly inept Keeper, and his victory, and being Prefect (even if - believably - he sucks at it). That taunting Slytherin song was brilliant, and one of my favourite parts of the book. I don't believe Ron would take Harry and Hermione missing his great moment lightly though. He's been there for all of Harry's wins.
Pomphrey's comment, 'scars left by thoughts run deeper' are interesting. I see a subplot involving that brain and what it's done to Ron in the next book.
15. What did you think of Dumbledore's explanation?
Predictable.
16. Do you feel satisfied by this book?
Satiated would be the word. It's well-paced, rich, full of suprises. My only complaints are in the realm of characterisation. I have feeling that JKR's introduced too many new characters in this one, tried to flesh out too many others, and the characterisation of Ron suffered.
17. How anxious are you now for Book 6?
Not anxious at all. But I do look forward to it. I have a feeling the next book will come quickly, and it's the last book that we'll wait a long time for.
1. Describe in five words or less how you feel about Order of the Phoenix. (your initial reaction)
Satiated. Pleased. Sad. Wounded. Thrilled.
2. What are your feelings on Harry's personality? Do you think he is overly cynical, depressed, etc. . . .?
Realistic. JKR has portrayed beautifully the isolation of being a teenager, in Harry's case it's exaggerated because of his circumstances. I hope he begins to let his friends back in again. He needs them.
3. Do you think Order of the Phoenix is appropriate for children 13 and younger? Why or why not?
Yes. Kids are more sophisticated than we give them credit for, and JKR really understands a kids point of view. It would be wrong to rob them of that, and arrogantly give them more superficial Disney. JKR knows that being a kid hurts, and growing up hurts more.
4. List your five most hated characters (either in Book 5 or the whole series, non-humans can be included).
1. Umbrige (of course, I'm supposed to hate her)
2. Fudge
I don't hate Tom Riddle or Voldemort. Isn't that odd?
5. Percy turned away from his family. Will he come crawling back to them now or . . .?
No. He is a very well-drawn social climber, very young and arrogant, who is encumbered (from his point of view) with an embarrassing family. He doesn't see yet that he, no matter how hard he tries, will always be an outsider in the higher levels of society. He's at an age where most people think they're smarter and better than their parents, and he left the nest rather -- harshly. He loves his family though, deep down. Remember how he was when Ron was rescued from the lake? He'll come around. He just needs to be humbled at this point.
He really hasn't learned his lesson yet. But remember, Percy is - what? - 20? This is what kids that age do. I've seen it a thousand times. His departure is a little more dramatic than most, but remember that his mom really had the apron strings wrapped around his neck. Part of this is a young man desperately breaking away from her, when he doesn't want to.
6. What did you think of the new DADA's punishment? Why didn't Harry nor Lee complain?
That is really strange. Pride. And an instinctive sense that it would be worse if they did. They read her right. She's a sadist.
7. What do you think of James and Lily now?
Opinion has dropped. But they were on such a pedestal, it's sort of a relief that they're real.
8. Has your opinion (which is probably not too good) of Petunia Dursley changed? If yes, how so?
Improved. She has some family loyalty after all... looks like she has guts, when it counts.
9. What's the meaning of Snape's nickname in your opinion?
Great question! I think that the marauders either caught him crying at one point, or beat him up until he was on the verge of tears. He was much more fragile as a teenager and child than he is now. And he's always been pretty... brittle.
10. What do you think of the character death? Do you think s/he will return? The "death" of this person was vague and not very final; however, remember that JKR said she cried over this character's death.
It was needed. For Harry to have the adult responsibilities he's saddled with, as a writer JKR had to remove the parental roles in his life. I think that the 'Death Chamber' as Dumbledore called it was an excution chamber. Look at the courtroom layout. And everyone one there besides Harry seemed to know what was behind that curtain. And only the ones who'd seen death (Harry, Luna, probably Neville too) could hear the whispering behind the curtain. I think what happened was that Sirius was hit with a simple Stupify spell, but fell backwards into the curtain of death. As he fell Bellatrix knew what was going to happen to him.
She left it open for Sirius to return. It's possible. But not likely.
11. Do you think fanfiction will be hurt by Book 5? Do you see any new pairings arising? Do you see any huge ships falling apart?
Hurt by it? Are you kidding? The flood has begun! The redeemed!Draco characterisation has taken a small hit. Ron/Hermione has taken a wee hit, but that won't stop anyone. The twins are going to be very popular all of the sudden. Luna, (and unfortunately Tonks), will shipped left and right. Ginny has a personality. Alas, I was hoping JKR would kill her off. Ah, well, there was little chance of that.
12. What was your favourite chapter in Order of the Phoenix? Why?
Snape's Worst Memory. I write Harry/Snape slash. Need you ask why?
Seriously, I think for a kid who has diefied his father, adored his godfather and demonized Snape it was powerful to see James as suddenly not only imperfect, but someone he wouldn't like. Seeing Snape as a teenager as the sort he'd rescue was astonishing. I loved how the Perfect James Potter image was shattered.
It's unusual because with kids, even when they see their parents' faults, there's some distance. They don't see their parents as equals to themselves because of the age difference. But here, Harry witnessed his father as someone his own age, and thus judged on the same standard of his peers. James did not measure up.
13. Talk about Fred and George's "flight."
For the flashy career they've chosen, it's ideal. They are now infamous. It can only help the reputation of Weasley Wizard Weazes. Quite frankly, the boys are so sales-savvy, I'm of the firm opinion they damn well know this.
14. Give some thoughts on Ron.
Where did his temper go? His spirit? His sarcasm? That wasn't Ron, that was Rupert Grint. I loved seeing him as the slightly inept Keeper, and his victory, and being Prefect (even if - believably - he sucks at it). That taunting Slytherin song was brilliant, and one of my favourite parts of the book. I don't believe Ron would take Harry and Hermione missing his great moment lightly though. He's been there for all of Harry's wins.
Pomphrey's comment, 'scars left by thoughts run deeper' are interesting. I see a subplot involving that brain and what it's done to Ron in the next book.
15. What did you think of Dumbledore's explanation?
Predictable.
16. Do you feel satisfied by this book?
Satiated would be the word. It's well-paced, rich, full of suprises. My only complaints are in the realm of characterisation. I have feeling that JKR's introduced too many new characters in this one, tried to flesh out too many others, and the characterisation of Ron suffered.
17. How anxious are you now for Book 6?
Not anxious at all. But I do look forward to it. I have a feeling the next book will come quickly, and it's the last book that we'll wait a long time for.
