The Incompleteness of Plot Threads (and of Life)dr_cJuly 31 2005, 22:49:05 UTC
Once upon a time, I sort of had an unspoken expectation that by Book 7, we'd have all of the plot conflicts nicely resolved. Sirius and Snape would be getting along. The House-Elves would be on the path toward liberation, without angry vengenance on their former masters. Snape would lead Slytherin House to a new and kinder identity. And so forth. Not that I consciously and definitely would have stated that as a firm expectation (although some of the above I did toy with as theories), but that that just kind of seemed like how the books ought to end up.
The first real blow to that expectation was the death of Sirius, which meant (among other things) that the differences between himself and Snape would remain eternally unresolved. (Of course now there are bigger questions in play with Snape than merely whether he could have reconciled with Sirius; but you know what I mean.)
Now we've got only one book left; and it's becoming increasingly clear that many of the secondary tensions will remain ongoing at the end of the series. The Harry-Voldemort conflict will of course be resolved, and probably also Harry-Snape. But beyond that-- Harry may never find an appropriate way of dealing with Kreacher. Lupin may never be accepted into polite wizarding society. And Percy may never be reconciled to his family (other than his mother). Perhaps we'll get a hint of it in the epilogue (among those who survive, at least); but I'm rather pessimistic about it actually happening on screen.
And this makes sense, now that I think more about it. Life is by nature incomplete; there's always more problems to be resolved, and even when things do get solved, more problems always pop up to replace them. I expect that the big and extraordinary issues in the books will be solved; but the problems that are just part of life, will probably be ongoing.
As for Percy himself: To some extent, his path in Book 7 will be tied up with what happens between Harry and Scrimgeour. As peachespig points out above, Percy's loyalty is still to the Official Hierarchy (and, I expect, probably always will be). If Scrimgeour were to change course to the point where Harry could openly support the Ministry, then the differences between Percy and the family would be much easier to deal with. But it seems more likely that the Ministry will do rather poorly in Book 7; and they won't even have the option of calling Harry a mad liar anymore, and won't really have anything to do besides make fools of themselves. So I don't really see Book 7 being a happy book for Percy.
I did find it a bit over-the-top, of course, for Fred, George, and Ginny to be all trying to take credit for Percy's unceremonious parsnip-splattered exit from the Burrow, and those three plus Ron all seemingly oblivious to the fact that their mother might not like them to casually insult Percy in front of her as a matter of course. But I'm not sure where JKR is going with this. Presumably she would agree (wouldn't she?) that it would be better for them to lay off a bit; but she may not see that as the most significant aspect of their lives, and one that can safely be left to the indefinite future beyond the immediate narrative.
Perhaps I'm too pessimistic; it certainly isn't impossible that they could patch things up. But I don't see it being very likely in Book 7 (except perhaps in the epilogue).
The first real blow to that expectation was the death of Sirius, which meant (among other things) that the differences between himself and Snape would remain eternally unresolved. (Of course now there are bigger questions in play with Snape than merely whether he could have reconciled with Sirius; but you know what I mean.)
Now we've got only one book left; and it's becoming increasingly clear that many of the secondary tensions will remain ongoing at the end of the series. The Harry-Voldemort conflict will of course be resolved, and probably also Harry-Snape. But beyond that-- Harry may never find an appropriate way of dealing with Kreacher. Lupin may never be accepted into polite wizarding society. And Percy may never be reconciled to his family (other than his mother). Perhaps we'll get a hint of it in the epilogue (among those who survive, at least); but I'm rather pessimistic about it actually happening on screen.
And this makes sense, now that I think more about it. Life is by nature incomplete; there's always more problems to be resolved, and even when things do get solved, more problems always pop up to replace them. I expect that the big and extraordinary issues in the books will be solved; but the problems that are just part of life, will probably be ongoing.
As for Percy himself: To some extent, his path in Book 7 will be tied up with what happens between Harry and Scrimgeour. As peachespig points out above, Percy's loyalty is still to the Official Hierarchy (and, I expect, probably always will be). If Scrimgeour were to change course to the point where Harry could openly support the Ministry, then the differences between Percy and the family would be much easier to deal with. But it seems more likely that the Ministry will do rather poorly in Book 7; and they won't even have the option of calling Harry a mad liar anymore, and won't really have anything to do besides make fools of themselves. So I don't really see Book 7 being a happy book for Percy.
I did find it a bit over-the-top, of course, for Fred, George, and Ginny to be all trying to take credit for Percy's unceremonious parsnip-splattered exit from the Burrow, and those three plus Ron all seemingly oblivious to the fact that their mother might not like them to casually insult Percy in front of her as a matter of course. But I'm not sure where JKR is going with this. Presumably she would agree (wouldn't she?) that it would be better for them to lay off a bit; but she may not see that as the most significant aspect of their lives, and one that can safely be left to the indefinite future beyond the immediate narrative.
Perhaps I'm too pessimistic; it certainly isn't impossible that they could patch things up. But I don't see it being very likely in Book 7 (except perhaps in the epilogue).
Reply
Leave a comment