OVERANALYZING THE TEXT

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.

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 reiteration of evidence for Hagrid's tendency to bigotry, and more on the "not a single witch or wizard" comment.

Calvinism in HP: the extent to which Harry is portrayed not only as a member of the "elite," but even perhaps as a member of the *Elect,* and the extent to which this aspect of the books may stand at the epicenter of reader anxiety with the series as a whole.

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

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.

In which I offend nearly everyone by tackling the issue of class (and of real world politics) in HP. Had the moderators not been so overwhelmingly American, I suspect that this post would not have been allowed on the list, as it is not only provocatively political, but also really quite insulting towards English conservatives. Argues that JKR's overt progressive message is subverted by the unconscious conservativism of the world-view underlying her novels, a la Richard Adams' essay, "Harry Potter and the Closet Conservative."

Analysis of the Graveyard Scene of GoF. Argues that the scene is written to inspire a sense of revulsion in the reader by deliberately twisting or perverting institutions (religion, sexuality, the family, treatment of the dead) that we hold sacred.

Defense of Brave Peter's sorting into House Gryffindor.

Voldemort's sadism and his dismissive attitude towards women.

Sexual entendre in the HP books, with particular emphasis on depictions of Riddle/Voldemort and on the sexualized language of the graveyard scene in GoF.

Part one of the nine-part Crouch monstrosity. Is Crouch portrayed by the text as Dead Sexy? Was Mrs. Crouch Tough, or Weak? Where did Barty Jr. learn his skills of interpersonal manipulation? And just why *is* Elkins so resistant to a reading of Crouch Sr. as Dead Sexy, anyway?

Points out that Draco Malfoy has never once obeyed his father's wishes in the canon and in fact, often seems to go out of his way to do the opposite of whatever Lucius tells him. Also cites evidence for a reading of Draco as both profoundly weak and somewhat mentally unstable

Canonical plausibility and reading practice. How do readers form a mental map of the "Spirit of Canon" from which they evaluate a speculation's plausibility? What factors contribute to that model? Uses Redeemable Draco and the "Heir of Gryffindor" theory as illustrative examples. Part one of two.

Subversive readings and what drives them. "Fault lines" in the text which lead to reader anxiety. The question of why the fandom does not tend to subversion when contemplating the relationship between Snape and his old Slytherin housemates and DE colleagues. Part two of two.

Hints of darkness to Lupin's personality which, even apart from his lycanthropy and consequent social standing, might have contributed to his friends' suspecting him of being the spy during Voldemort's first rise.

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.