Re: Dates in the books (was: The Identity of R.A.B.--My Speculation)

Troels Forchhammer wrote:

> Louis Epstein wrote:
>
> > [discussion of dates based upon information from the books]
>
> [...] we are dealing with a level of analysis that there is simply no
> support for in the books. It is even doubtful whether Rowling has a
> precise and detailed time-line for Tom Riddle's young years (saying
> nothing about how exactly they are positioned relative to Harry's school
> years). It wouldn't surprise me if she was working with a much looser
> plan, with only a very vague sequentiality (and not necessarily a
> consistent one). I might of course be wrong, but I don't think the
> evidence we have so far can be made to fit perfectly.
>
> My point, however, is precisely that it is pointless to even attempt to
> squeeze the events down into a specific time-line, and that while doing so
> will make it easier for people to keep track, it also invites conclusions
> based on coincidences that depend on a consistency that doesn't, IMO,
> exist.

One thing I'd like to see after all seven-plus books are released is for
someone(*) to go back through all of the books and to correct all of the
minor errors and inconsistencies regarding dates(†). Offhand, I can't think
of any major plot points that revolve around a certain date falling on a
certain day, and I think any similar kinds of glitches could be fixed with a
minimum of changes to the text.

Years and other things might be a bit harder to deal with; for example,
there might need to be some rather extensive reworking of some passages that
deal with the ages of the older Weasleys. Generally, though, I think things
could be massaged into agreeing with each other. For convenience, I propose
we dump the PlayStation reference and the Deathday card entirely ;-)

* <cough> Troels :-)
† Well, and all of the other inconsistencies, too, but that's a different
thread :-)

--
Benjamin D. Esham
bdesham@xxxxxxxxx | http://bdesham.net | AIM: bdesham128
"i have no problem with religion... it should exist, to provide
solace for the weak minded" — circletimessquare on Kuro5hin
.

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