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Post by Lissa on Aug 3, 2005 16:00:41 GMT -5
I get a kick out of JKR's names, for the most part. A couple of others:
-Snape is a small town in England. Kind of dull, isn't it?
-Weasley does come from weasel, which is one of J.K. Rowling's favorite animals.
-Minerva- the goddess of wisdom
-Merope- the dimmest star in... oh shoot, I forget what constellation. But anyway, she married a mortal, and her father was displeased.
-Hermione- a character in a Shakespeare play. Hermione Granger is not meant to have any resemblence to the character, instead, Rowling thought that two dentists would be likely to name their child something obscure like that because it would show off how smart they are.
-Tobias Snape- this is entirely my speculation, but recently Rowling revealed she is a HUGE West Wing fan. I can't help but wonder if she got Tobias from the show. (Especially since Snape and Toby Zeigler have a LOT in common personality-wise, although Toby is much more likeable.)
-Fleur Delacouer- Literal translation is Flower of the Heart
-Cho- Japanese (I think) for butterfly
-Slughorn- again, this is speculation, but I feel like this one's a tribute to Roald Dahl. I KNOW I'm not the only one that thinks of Slugworth, and that's who her style has always reminded me of.
But my big name question....
Are werewolves legally required to change their names or something?? I mean, it's bad enough that we have Remus Lupin wandering around, but Fenrir Greyback as well? What were these parents thinking? "Please, PLEASE let my kid become a werewolf?"
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Post by PoolMan on Aug 3, 2005 16:57:21 GMT -5
Grrr... Fleur! I should have caught that. Oh well.
I also think Hagrid bears a distinct resemblance to "haggard". Kind of works.
Anyways, I was going back and reading my own words there, and I find myself constantly at odds with one large realization that Rowling has artificially added to create suspense: nobody knows why Dumbledore trusts Snape so much, even to his death.
Now, I fully realize it's for purposes of not blowing the whole story away and leaving the reader in the position of making a judgment call without adequate info (and let's face it, Rowling does love to do that). But if there are two recurring themes in the Harry Potter books, they are these:
1) The kids are as capable as some of the adults, and can even be MORE capable.
2) When info is withheld from the kids, bad things happen.
This is exemplified over and over and over again, especially in Order of the Phoenix. The kids, having organized their own resistance against Umbridge, form the DA and ultimately manage to stand their ground against full grown Death Eaters until the Order shows up. And Dumbledore repeatedly holds information back from Harry, something terrible happens because of it, and then he apologizes for it, citing necessity that didn't necessarily exist.
But if there was one thing that Dumbledore should have shared with Harry while he was alive, it was EXACTLY why Snape was so trustworthy. Even the teachers don't know (I believe McGonagall makes a comment towards the end that Dumbledore never told any of the staff). This crucial bit of info would have helped Harry make better and more informed decisions from as early as... jeez, book 1 even.
Ah well. The suspense will just have to endure!
Oh, and "Umbridge" resembles "umbrage", meaning to take offense. I like that one.
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Post by dajaymann on Sept 7, 2005 23:07:43 GMT -5
Well, I too just finished HBP a couple of nights ago. It was a pretty radical read (far more engrossing than the New Jedi Order that I've suckered myself into) and the only thing that I keep thinking about is the Horcrux situation. So, am I the only one out here that believes that Harry, or rather, Harry's Scar, is the last Horcrux?
Ponder. Discuss. I'll be back tomorrow evening.
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Post by Lissa on Sept 8, 2005 9:41:31 GMT -5
If nothing else, just to prove there are people out there who can out-geek me on Harry Potter, check out this essay on Harry's scar being the final, unintentional Horcrux. I'm still not sure I agree, but I'm not positive. On the one hand, the traditional genre of fantasy almost dictates that Harry's scar must be the Horcrux (or Harry himself). The hero must somehow make the Ultimate Sacrifice, and there ya go. (Also, I've seen the theory before that, although the scar is described in the shape of a lightning bold, it's actually in the shape of a snake. It's just that scars aren't always a fine art.) I wouldn't put it past JKR to do it. I've had 50/50 odds on Harry actually surviving the series anyway, so.... On the other hand, I'm kind of wondering if maybe there isn't something else somewhere else, just because we don't actually know much about the process of making a Horcrux and I wonder if it could have been accomplished unintentionally. (Or if it has, if Harry himself has a Horcrux somewhere that he didn't intend to create.) This is the one piece of information I am DYING to know. I'm hoping it doesn't have anything to do with Snape being in love with Lily, but I'm not entirely convinced it doesn't. But I really, really, really want to know exactly why Dumbledore trusted Snape. I didn't expect to find out in this book (I don't think the reason we were given was the full reason- it's too lame. Even Lupin doesn't believe it. And she's been holding this over our heads for six books), but I'm dying to see Book 7, just for that. And Harry's trip to Godric's Hollow. About time he visited his parents' graves!!! |
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Post by PoolMan on Sept 8, 2005 15:55:08 GMT -5
Wow... that was a hell of an essay. Interesting read, though. I love soaking up other peoples' theories.
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Post by dajaymann on Sept 8, 2005 22:56:25 GMT -5
I second Pooly when he states, "One hell of an essay." Bravo!
I have theories, but they're obvious. And retarded. And mostly stolen from other people.
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Post by Magill on Sept 9, 2005 7:47:27 GMT -5
I saw the idea of Harry's scar being the last Horcrux on another message board I frequent. I don't know if I quite buy that. Another poster broke down what all the Horcruxes could be. I'll see if I could find that list.
As for why Dumbledore believes Snape--perhaps they have an Unbreakable Vow together?
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Post by PoolMan on Sept 9, 2005 10:56:21 GMT -5
As for why Dumbledore believes Snape--perhaps they have an Unbreakable Vow together? I dunno... from what I've always gotten from Dumbledore, a true act of attrition would probably mean more to him than an Unbreakable Vow. Dumbledore seems the type of character who puts a lot of faith in things OTHER than magic, especially for a wizard so powerful. He believes fiercely in love as a real and powerful thing. But hey. Maybe you're right. I just figure that's kind of a bland reason. I would hope Rowling's got more imagination than "Snape is under a spell that forces him to be loyal". |
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Post by Magill on Sept 9, 2005 12:46:59 GMT -5
You know, considering the consequence of breaking an Unbreakable Vow is death, you're right--that doesn't seem like Dumbledore's style.
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Post by PoolMan on Sept 9, 2005 13:44:46 GMT -5
There's that aspect of it too, Magill, you're absolutely right.
By the way, I'm happy this thread has been resurrected... I really enjoy hearing everyone's theories.
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