OVERANALYZING THE TEXT

Neville as a literary double to Harry, and its ramifications for the series' thematic emphases on memory, history, legacy and power. Also touches on Voldemort's, Snape's, and Crouch Jr's roles within this schematic and on the leit-motifs of burial, exhumation and parricide in GoF.

More on Neville and Harry, and on the significance of themes of renunciation, memory and forgetfulness for the series as a whole.

Part one of a three-part survey of Memory Charmed Neville theories. This part covers the "No Suppressed Memory At All," the "Psychological Repression," the "Spontaneous Magic," and the classic "Well-Intended Memory Charm" theories. It was also, by the way, my very first "TBAY" prefixed post.

Part Two of the Memory Charm Symposium, this one examines the "Wizarding Witness Protection Program," "Wizards In Black," "Hidden Source" and "Reverse Memory Charm" theories of Neville's purported memory charm.

Third and last part of the Memory Charm Symposium. Covers the "Cover Up At the Ministry," "DEPRECIATION" and "Memory Charm Most Foul" theories of Neville's purported Memory Charm.

Points out that canon actually suggests that the Longbottoms were not attacked in their own home at all.

More speculation on the assault on the Longbottoms

A challenge to the Reverse Memory Charm theory, both in terms of its canonical defensibility and in terms of its dramatic possibilities for future canon ("Bang").

The infamous Paddle Smashing post. Illustration by example of the difference between a "Bangy" character change (ie, that which comes about by means of a sudden, discrete and catalytic event) and a non-Bangy-yet-dramatic one, by way of explaining why Reverse Memory Charmed Neville, while it may have some dramatic potential, is nonetheless not a "Bangy" theory.

An attempt to explain the dynamic whereby all popular readings derive in essence from the canonical text itself. Argues against the notion that the Draco/Hermione ship could only come about through the ingestion of fanfic. Also contains an explanation of why I am not terribly impressed with authorial intent used as "evidence" when discussing a work of fiction.

Draco's inadequacies as Harry's peer rival, and other ways in which the text encourages a Redeemable!Draco reading, such as JKR's refusal to combat either Sympathy For the Devil or Hurt-Comfort when she writes the character of Draco Malfoy.

A bit more on Draco's narrative function, and further explanation of Hurt-Comfort

On the difference between academic and fannish reading practice, and its significance for what we choose to designate as "canon."

On the difference between "subversive" and "instinctive" readings of the text and the use of literary analysis to defend ones reading as authorially-sancioned.

The "hurt-comfort" dynamic and reader crushes on male characters. Contains an explanation of why Ron does not benefit very much from hurt-comfort.

An explanation of why Moody does not benefit from Hurt-Comfort.