* you’ve all probably forgotten that you already know the kid’s secret so let’s start the book again. It is JKR's first published book & she has re-written the first chapter numerous times, unsure how much to reveal. She seems to have had problems with the beginning chapters of this book, imo. Well, she isn't really an experienced author yet (certainly hasn't been so while writing the PS) & setting the beginning of the 7 books' set is hard.
*The Dursleys often talk about Harry like he isn’t there. Actually, that’s pretty standard for most children, I’d think. I don't think it was so in my family.
*Dudley’s friend Piers Polkiss arrives, looking like a rat. Well, we know which house these two would be Sorted, don’t we? I am not sure, after all Peter is as rat-like as one can get & he was sorted into Gryffindor & even became James' "friend" and the professional admirer. Piers immediately reminded me of Peter. Peter and Piers even sound similar. Piers usually is the one to hold people's arms behind their backs while Dudley hits them similar to Peter, who is described as "watching hungrily, edging around Lupin to get a clearer view" at Snape being bullied. Both are afraid to start bullying somebody themselves due to cowardice, but are extremely happy to watch their powerful friends doing this job. Piers here seems even a bit braver than Peter, who was afraid to approach hopelessly outnumbered Snape, let alone try to touch him even,if the touch would be holding his arms behind his back. In the memory Snape is outnumbered, defeated in front of a hostile to him crowd, yet Peter seems to prefer to watch this from afar "edging around Lupin to get a clearer view", but afraid to come closer. So, judging on this Piers would be more likely be a Gryffindor than Peter. Btw, notice the way Pier is described: "a scrawny boy with a face like a rat". Since being scrawny is sort of a positive sign in this universe (Harry is repeatedly described this way), we are warned about his low nature by his rat-like appearance. One day somebody should write an editorial about the connection between looks & character in JKR's books, not only the fat/thin aspect, but about the whole topic in general. Interesting whether Rowling would be as infuriated by such essay as she was by that 'fat' discussion. Somehow I don't think so.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: the beginning chapters & Peter/Piers comparison
Date: 2006-10-20 06:18 pm (UTC)It is JKR's first published book & she has re-written the first chapter numerous times, unsure how much to reveal. She seems to have had problems with the beginning chapters of this book, imo. Well, she isn't really an experienced author yet (certainly hasn't been so while writing the PS) & setting the beginning of the 7 books' set is hard.
*The Dursleys often talk about Harry like he isn’t there. Actually, that’s pretty standard for most children, I’d think.
I don't think it was so in my family.
*Dudley’s friend Piers Polkiss arrives, looking like a rat. Well, we know which house these two would be Sorted, don’t we?
I am not sure, after all Peter is as rat-like as one can get & he was sorted into Gryffindor & even became James' "friend" and the professional admirer. Piers immediately reminded me of Peter. Peter and Piers even sound similar. Piers usually is the one to hold people's arms behind their backs while Dudley hits them similar to Peter, who is described as "watching hungrily, edging around Lupin to get a clearer view" at Snape being bullied. Both are afraid to start bullying somebody themselves due to cowardice, but are extremely happy to watch their powerful friends doing this job. Piers here seems even a bit braver than Peter, who was afraid to approach hopelessly outnumbered Snape, let alone try to touch him even,if the touch would be holding his arms behind his back. In the memory Snape is outnumbered, defeated in front of a hostile to him crowd, yet Peter seems to prefer to watch this from afar "edging around Lupin to get a clearer view", but afraid to come closer. So, judging on this Piers would be more likely be a Gryffindor than Peter.
Btw, notice the way Pier is described: "a scrawny boy with a face like a rat". Since being scrawny is sort of a positive sign in this universe (Harry is repeatedly described this way), we are warned about his low nature by his rat-like appearance. One day somebody should write an editorial about the connection between looks & character in JKR's books, not only the fat/thin aspect, but about the whole topic in general. Interesting whether Rowling would be as infuriated by such essay as she was by that 'fat' discussion. Somehow I don't think so.