December/January Debate: Has JK set herslef up for a fall?

Originally posted by Ushgarak
I think a but of 'meta-debate' would be nice. Rather than arguing out a plot-based subject- nwhich is turning up pretty thin lately- a debate about the process behind the plot.

For example, I think it would be interesting to discuss if Rowling made a mistake in the whole 'Snap kills Dumbledore' thing. The dramatic advantages are obvious- but hasn't she rather painted herself into a corner? Debate about Snape is now so rampant, and everyone so set into one camp or the other... but there is no hidden 'third' option; either Snape is on one side or the other (at least when he killed DD, anyway), and inevitably people are going to be disappoitned either way.

I worry she has set up a payoff here that she will never be able to deliver.

So let's get started!

Now personally, I'm thinking that there will be little payoff. My first problem with Book 6 is that it was slightly predictable. When JK killed off Sirius, I saw what she was thinking in the sense that she had to kill off people who were close to Harry and would ultimately help him defeat Voldey, I suspected that Dumbledore would be next, but I think his death was too forced. He died with too many unanswered questions for me.

Perhaps those questions will be answered in the last book, and she left them unanswered so people would come back for the last book.

Well I guess that's obvious but for me I wouldn't be disappointed if Snape was good or bad...however I would be very disapointed if Harry was to die with Voldemort...such a Matrix-like ending would be a serious turn off.

I disagree with the person who made this idea. There is indeed a third option. Snape could be neutral, he could also commit suicide. Here's what I think will happen.

Snape, after killing Dumbledore, will realize his mistake, and will kill Luciuos malfoy, and other Death Eaters. He once again realizes his life is in danger, and knows not what to do anymore, Henceforth, Snape will avada Kedavra himself, and die. The end...of Snape at least.

an interesting way to end a git's life.

I think that Snape is neutral anyway. But I don't think that he'll get all sappy and kill himself. I think that he's just doing what he's always done, doing what's good for him and him only.

If Snape is really evil (after all)... Rowling will be disappointing me!
Too easy!
Now, I've re-read Goblet of Fire lately - and Voldemart has an interesting comment in regards to the Death-Eaters - namely that one, Voldemort assumes, is lost forever. Counting what what Death-eater is, and is doing, this can ONLY be Snape. And also... What is it that Dumbledore asks Snape to do when Harry returns to Hogwarts after seeing Voldemort return?

Now - combine this with the OATH that Snape takes at the beginning of Half-blood prince to help Draco. And Dumbledores "please", just before Snape kills him... (because Draco can't)...

Nope - I think the good Rowling has a surprise in store for us.

i don't think dumbeldors really dead. because in the book it said that harry could have sworen that it looked like he was just in a deep sleep. and remember dumbeldore has powers like voldemort but is just to brave and noble to use them. well i think dumboledore has horecruxes to. i think at the fenural he apperated out of the coffen into hiding. and i know who R.A.B. is.

i think that for the 7th book at least every HP fan that wants to can submeit there story of thr 7th HP to Jk. and she could take like some of what fans whnat to happen to harry and what she whants and combind them together. i mean it is like that last book. are we just going to sit here and .......ect

R.A.B is Sirius Brother. remember that he did not whant to be apart of the death eaters any more so he like quit. well his name is regulaus black. don't know the middle nae but who cares.

JK already knows what she wants to do for the seventh book. She wrote out the whole story line for all seven book when she wrote the first one. And Dumbledore would never, and I repete NEVER make a Horecrux.

Originally posted by HPotterPlus
R.A.B is Sirius Brother. remember that he did not whant to be apart of the death eaters any more so he like quit. well his name is regulaus black. don't know the middle nae but who cares.

It's hard to say till the final book arrives. I will admit that the sixth book is not my favorite, and I don't think it was quite as good as the other books, it felt like a bridging peice, intended to bring everyone up to date and say "so this is why this is happening", or at least it did to me.

That said, I think JK should still be able to pull of the last book, which I think will be the most important in the series. It is the conclusion, the aone where it's all got to be wrapped up., and my biggest concern really is how it will do this. It seems like there is so much to be done - resolve romance question, track down and destroy the horcruxs, kill Voldermort, resolve the Snape issue convincingly and all that, and I wonder how she will pull it off, with the way the characters were in the last book. The biggest risk I see is some maher resorting

It's hard to say till the final book arrives. I will admit that the sixth book is not my favorite, and I don't think it was quite as good as the other books, it felt like a bridging piece, intended to bring everyone up to date and say "so this is why this is happening", or at least it did to me.

That said, I think JK should still be able to pull of the last book, which I think will be the most important in the series. It is the conclusion, the one where it's all got to be wrapped up, plot questions answered, story archs resolved all the while delivering a story in line with the mythos that exists in the Potter literary universe. My biggest concern really is how it will do this. It seems like there is so much to be done - resolve romance questions, track down and destroy the horcruxs, kill Voldermort, resolve the Snape issue convincingly and all that, and I wonder how she will pull it off, with the way the characters were in the last book. The biggest risk I see is some her resorting to some manner of deus ex machina, or some plot device (good work Harry, your use of the never before heard of super time turner and secret love spell has destroyed Voldermort before he even existed, so now everyone is happy, lets go have some Pumpkin juice.)

Likewise another concern for me is if the integral social aspect of Harry's interaction between his friends was let slip to the side to make way for non-stop action. Sure, there will be fire works, but I think it would be a mistake for the book to become some pure action adventure at the cost of aspects that made the earlier books successful. It's not all about duels and hair razing escapes is it? More then that there is.

As to Snape, I don't think he is working for Voldermort, which means he killed Dumbledore on Dumbledore's orders, or some third option. I always liked the Snape character, and would like it to retain some measure of complexity. Who knows, maybe it would be cool if it turned out Snape actually betrayed everyone, that he was manipulating them all, he uses Harry to kill Voldermort (as only Harry can) and then takes the title of Dark Lord himself, after all, with Dumbledore gone, who could stop him? Still, probably a bit dark for a conclusion to the series.

I like the idea of Snape betraying everyone. It's very interesting.

I like it too. Too dark, and i cant see how Rowling would ever be able to succesfully do it but it's a thought.

I still have to read book six, but from what I have read so far there is only two sides. You're for or against Voldermort. So Snapes either has to be on the Order's side or Voldermorts.

As for the last book, I am sure many of the Harry Potter fans will not like it. An Author harly ever takes advice from the fans when writing the story. It is not our story to tell the author how we want it to come out, it is for her to decide and I believe something things are going to make hardcore fans not happy.

Well that's my thoughts, maybe some of them will change after I read the sixth book.

Tim

P.S. I alreadyknew about Snape before posting, I asked a friend to tell me who dies. I am still going to read the book anyways.

i dont think jk will answer all questions and tie up all loose ends. like many great authors, to their readers anguish, she may just leave the books to be analyzed for all eternity

jk knew the 7th wud be da ;last so mabe shes left all the lose ends untied on purpose 2 make it the best n it all ties 2 geva wiv snape like 2 statements from above ... i think he,ll realise whwt he,s dun kil the death eaters n help harry b4 dyin himself but dnt 4get when he killed dd he made the vow 2 dracos mum so therefore it had 2 be him or dumby dat died he obviously chose dd ...wich means hes not actually dun dat much wrong xcept b selfish.......

i don't think dumbeldors really dead

Yeah, I get the same impression too. And I must admit that for me, that'd be quite a disappointment. I mean, what is it going to be about, having everyone come back from the grave? Honestly, imo, if Dumbledore's not dead, not only will it be quite predictable, but it'll ruin the feeling of loss... and of course, of Dumbledore can defeat death, I wouldn't be too surprised if Harry beats Voldemort only with his help- not by himself.