An interesting observation on Harry Potter covers...

[conuly]

Here.

Personally, I think the Dursleys are just the type to force a kid to write right-handed because it's "normal" (whatever that means). Funny thing, though, even if you write with your right-hand, the basic neurology that makes you a lefty doesn't change. You're still left-handed. Just like sleeping with guys doesn't make a gay girl straight, and looking people in the eye doesn't make you non-autistic.

In fact, I'd be rather surprised at the behavioural change that could effect* a change in your neurology.

Just sayin'


*_{Yes, this is an example of the rare verb effect. Later, I'll use the rare noun affect and confuse the heck out of you. Stay tuned!}

Comments

[eard-stapa.livejournal.com]

ohh, applause on effect/affect.

</random>

[spitefairy.livejournal.com]

I think that's reading into it quite a bit, and probably would have been covered in the last book with all the Dursley hate going on. Most likely has to do with the artist being left handed and not thinking about it.

[conuly]

Oh, yes, I agree. But I still like my theory better. (And besides, it fits inside the book universe. If we went to that universe, and told Harry that he held his wand sometimes in the left hand because the artist was a lefty, he'd be confused.)

[feathered.livejournal.com]

Affect as a noun is rare? I see it all the time in my psychology books and even random history and art books.

[eofs.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I think it's probably the artist thing. Because if it's so important, why doesn't it come into the British covers?

[conuly]

Never seen the British covers, so no comment.

[conuly]

It's a very common term in psychology, and drama. I can see how it'd come up in history and art. It's not very common to most of the world, which is how the silly rumor that effect is the noun and affect is the verb got started.

[conuly]

*bows*

[ex-chaos-by-699.livejournal.com]

Offhand, I can think of a couple of behaviors that can change your neurology. One is heavy drug abuse, which can lead to changes in the brain. The other is conquering a phobia through extended exposure, whereby a person eventually gets to the point where they no longer have an overwhelming fear reaction to whatever their phobia is about.

Generally though, I don't agree with forcing autistics to make eye contact, gay people to live a heterosexual lifestyle, or lefties to write with their right hand.

[eofs.livejournal.com]

Have you not?

They're (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/picture.php?cat=273&image_id=125) not (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/picture.php?cat=272&image_id=147) all (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/picture.php?cat=271&image_id=168)
that (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/picture.php?cat=270&image_id=183) great (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/picture.php?cat=176&image_id=195) really (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/picture.php?cat=176&image_id=3541).

OotP was kinda nice I guess, and HBP is much improved, but otherwise... bleh. I think my favourite that I've seen were a really gorgeous set of Swedish ones, but the Finnish ones just terrified me! I must admit a fondness for the French covers, if only because they remind me of The Three Robbers (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570982066/qid=1110333074/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_8_2/026-8630183-3188414) for some reason.

*Crosses fingers and prays to god of html*

[conuly]

I don't think that drug abuse counts. That's the drug changing your neurology, not the behaviour.

[conuly]

Oh, but PS is a classic-looking cover!

[rahaeli.livejournal.com]

I'm fairly sure it's a far more prosaic answer: artwork for cover art is often flipped during processing.

[ex-chaos-by-699.livejournal.com]

Well, on the other hand it's the *taking* of the drug which allows the drug to change your neurology, and probably only in excessive doses at that, which involves decision-making and behavior on the part of the person. It's not like the drug can change your brain sitting on its own on a shelf.

[ex-chaos-by-699.livejournal.com]

Whooo! A fellow David Mack fan! Awesome. :)

[feathered.livejournal.com]

I looove David Mack. If I had a scanner I'd make a ton of icons. His art is fabulous!

[mhari.livejournal.com]

Later, I'll use the rare noun affect and confuse the heck out of you.

If you'd been sneaky, you could have put "Just because you're not without affect doesn't make you non-autistic".

[conuly]

It is? So it's even got nothing to do with the fact that the artist is a lefty? Dang, that's really boring. I *still* prefer my theory.

[leora.livejournal.com]

Now I want Half-Blood Prince... *sniffs*
Even though if I tried to read it, it'd make me sick to do so.

[innerbrat]

PoA is my favourite one, and I prefer them all to the nasty US ones, although not as much as I prefer Josh Kirby/Paul Kidby to the US Discworld covers.

I notice, however, that there's only two that might indicate handedness in Harry, (GoF and HBP), and they each show Harry using different hands.

So... meh.

Also, Conuly, I'd be very very surprised if the Dursley's taught Harry to write at all. That almost certainly happened at his school, not at home.

[dekuu.livejournal.com]

We have the British covers in Australia. Hm, interesting...

[conuly]

Doesn't matter if they were the ones actually teaching him how to write, they could still have forced him to switch. Parents do that kind of crap.

[innerbrat]

Only if they give a damn about the kid.

Bear in mind that just because they don't like magic, doesn't mean they associate left handedness with anything (Oh shit, I don't want to make the pun, but can't think of a decent synonym...) sinister (*winces*), particularly in relation to the only thing they wanted to keep Harry away from, anyway.

I wouldn't be surprsied if they'd never seen him write at home, anyway, and therfore didn't know if he was right- or left-handed.

[conuly]

If they're that hung up on normality, they might just be bastards about it.

[innerbrat]

I doubt it though. It's not that big a deal to most people. Also, see: not caring enough about Harry to notice anyway.