OVERANALYZING THE TEXT

Reader response to the infamous "Prank" and an explanation of why Moody's use of degrading and dehumanizing language in the Pensieve scene should have made me think more ill of him than Sirius' use of similar language in the Shrieking Shack did

Sirius, Snape and the "Prank." Lupin's and Sirius' behavior in the Shrieking Shack

Snape and his narrative function: his indeterminacy, his subverting role in the text. His character: the tension between his instincts and proclivites and his moral principles. His relationship to House Slytherin and specifically to the Malfoy family. Also contains some discussion of House Slytherin in general, and passing questions as to the nature of the Dark Arts.

Pranks, pranksters and the Twins. Charismatic bullies and Ex-Victims-Turned-Bully. Reader identification with these character types and how it affects interpretations of the Twins, Sirius and Snape.

The warrior culture of the wizarding world, and how it militates against apology. An analysis of Lupin's response to Sirius' plea for forgiveness in the Shrieking Shack and why it might be that so many readers feel some degree of discomfort or dissatisfaction with that exchange.

Reader response to Shrieking Shack, and a disquisition on the entire notion of "just deserts."

More on why Sirius and James might have suspected Lupin of being the spy, this time with an emphasis on his lycanthropy. Evidence from the Shrieking Shack scene to support the notion that Sirius, at least, really did suspect Lupin primarily because he was a werewolf. Also, a brief discussion of the canonical plausibility of Evil!Lupin, and an explanation of why Sirius and James might not have suspected Peter.

Canon correction to previous post, as well as a brief analysis of Peter, Sirius, and Lupin's respective ways of "going beast" at the end of PoA.

Defense of the (now canonically-established) theory that MWPP really *did* bully Snape back in their school days, followed by a thematic analysis of Snape's Grudge, the Train Stomp, and the end game of PoA.

Thematic defense for the speculation that Peter was the one who tipped off James to Sirius' "Prank.