"Boy," said Dad, "Harry sure doesn't listen very well, does he?" I asked what inspired this remark, and he said, "He keeps saying 'Voldemort'!" That he does. And, really, it would be silly for him not to. Maybe by the end of book seven, Ron will be able to say it too... But the funny thing is that what Dad said could apply to dozens of situations in the series. Harry certainly has, as Dumbledore says, "a certain disregard for the rules," as well as a stubborn refusal to entertain alternate perspectives once he's made up his mind about something. Even with Spinner's End in the back of my mind, I found myself a bit exasperated with Harry's Draco tunnel vision in HBP. Heck, I even did this time around, though if he hadn't clung to those suspicions, things probably would have gone pretty badly at Hogwarts while he was away with Dumbledore... I guess I would say that in most cases, Harry's not "listening very well" ends up all right, but I do think he might benefit from making more of an effort to listen sometimes.
Dad also was surprised that Ron hadn't gotten detention after the Norbert incident. I reminded him that Ron was in the infirmary, but I too had been surprised upon re-reading, because I remembered the scene from the movie and was sure Ron was around. I imagine that the moviemakers were thinking the same thing: "Where's Ron?" He's involved in just about every other incident with Harry in the book, so it's strange not to have him there. Instead, we have Neville, who got rather short-changed in the first three films. And it's good to have him in this important scene; the more I think about it, the more I realize how active he was in the first book. We meet him on the train; by the time they have their first flying lesson, Harry is defending him against Malfoy, leading to his being made Seeker; he stands up to Draco, and later to Harry, Hermione and Ron; he goes in the Forbidden Forest with Harry, Hermione and Draco... He really is there nearly as much as Ron and Hermione, if not quite as noticed. I'm a little worried about him, because I do think he will have a significant contribution to make in Deathly Hallows. I could actually envision him saving Harry in the 11th hour - but I'd hate for it to come at the expense of his life...
Friday, June 29, 2007
"Boy, That Hermione Sure Is a Pain, Isn't She?"
That is what Dad has to say about Hermione. "If I were them," he said, "I think I'd bop her in the nose!" Of course, this was before he got to the troll confrontation; I'm not sure what he thinks of her now. But I assured him she mellows out. I recall thinking that too as I was re-reading it, and I got a chuckle out of how Harry "couldn't believe anyone could be so interfering." Interestingly, almost the same wording is used at the end, when Hermione, upon witnessing Vernon's greeting, is shocked that anyone could be so unpleasant. She is a very decent person; she's just sort of a "perfect person", particularly in the beginning. But without her initiative, a lot of important things would not have happened, and her walking encyclopedia nature has saved the day on many occasions.
One thing I love about Hermione is her devotion to Hagrid. She spends hours of her third year working on Buckbeak's appeal despite the fact that she's incredibly overscheduled. In the fourth year, she is the one who insists they go to Hagrid and talk him out of resigning; in the fifth, she's the one who alerts Ron and Harry to his return, and in their sixth year, she smooths things over with him by offering to help with his latest dangerous creature crisis. It seems that she is just as close to Hagrid as Harry is. I also really like the concern she shows for Neville, from helping him find Trevor way back in the beginning to worrying about his response to Moody's demonstration. And of course, the ongoing crusade for the House Elves. Maybe one of these days she will even inspire a little change of heart in Kreacher...
I remember reading something about how Rowling really had to fight for the troll scene because the editor thought it didn't advance the plot much; she said she felt Hermione was so hard to deal with in the beginning, there had to be a dramatic event to bring her, Harry and Ron together. It certainly did!
One thing I love about Hermione is her devotion to Hagrid. She spends hours of her third year working on Buckbeak's appeal despite the fact that she's incredibly overscheduled. In the fourth year, she is the one who insists they go to Hagrid and talk him out of resigning; in the fifth, she's the one who alerts Ron and Harry to his return, and in their sixth year, she smooths things over with him by offering to help with his latest dangerous creature crisis. It seems that she is just as close to Hagrid as Harry is. I also really like the concern she shows for Neville, from helping him find Trevor way back in the beginning to worrying about his response to Moody's demonstration. And of course, the ongoing crusade for the House Elves. Maybe one of these days she will even inspire a little change of heart in Kreacher...
I remember reading something about how Rowling really had to fight for the troll scene because the editor thought it didn't advance the plot much; she said she felt Hermione was so hard to deal with in the beginning, there had to be a dramatic event to bring her, Harry and Ron together. It certainly did!
Muggles in Helicopters!
My dad is about halfway through the first book now, and last night he remarked to me, "You know, for these people who are suppsed to be so secretive, these wizards aren't really very careful." I asked what he meant, and he said, "They're flying around dodging helicopters!" Sure enough, there was something in there about Malfoy bragging about narrowly missing Muggles in helicopters while zooming around on his broom - though considering the source, there's a good chance it didn't happen... I'd forgotten all about that little boast but told him that the Ministry would have quite a memory modifying job ahead of them!
And then I mentioned the precautions outined in Quidditch Through the Ages to keep Muggles from seeing witches and wizards in flight, though in the chapter devoted to that subjects, it says, "As every school-age wizard knows, the fact that we fly on broomsticks is probably our worst-kept secret." Nonetheless, in an effort to curb all the sightings, the Wizards' Council - a precursor to the Ministry of Magic - put forth a series of restrictions: no Quidditch within 50 miles of town, then 100, and finally, in 1419, "anywhere near any place where there is the slightest chance that a Muggle might be watching or we'll see how well you can play whilst chained to a dungeon wall." Harsh! Whenever they are quoted in the book, representatives of the Council and the Ministry always sound irritable and harrassed, with most of the wizarding community annoyed with them for making yet more rules to ruin their fun. I don't think I would want such a stressful job...
Perhaps the most interesting part of the book to me is the fourth chapter, which discusses the Golden Snidget, a tiny hummingbird-like creature that was hunted heavily for sport from the 1100s on and introduced to Quidditch almost three hundred years after the first recorded game. A Chief of the Wizards' Council released a Snidget at the match, offering 150 Galleons to whoever could catch it. Though a conscientious witch in the audience Summoned the bird and released it, the tradition was established, with 150 points as the reward instead of Galleons and a player designated for the job, but the bird was always killed, and several decades later, the Council made the Snidget a protected species. While others were searching for a species of bird to replace it, a wizard (interestingly, from Godric's Hollow) took it upon himself to create a mechanical version that mimicked the appearance and movements of the bird and was bewitched to stay within the grounds of the field. I thought it was nice how Rowling managed to sneak in a little consevationist message there, while the bird explanation makes sense, since the Snitch is such an unusual ball.
The book is only about 50 pages long, and there aren't very many illustrations, but there is a replica of the latest list of those who have borrowed the book. What I find odd is that Cedric, Angelina, Ernie and a couple other Hogwarts students took the book out during summer vacation. What were they doing at school? Were they so desperate to read the book that they went back during their vacation? How did they get there? Hmmmm... Questions, questions...
And then I mentioned the precautions outined in Quidditch Through the Ages to keep Muggles from seeing witches and wizards in flight, though in the chapter devoted to that subjects, it says, "As every school-age wizard knows, the fact that we fly on broomsticks is probably our worst-kept secret." Nonetheless, in an effort to curb all the sightings, the Wizards' Council - a precursor to the Ministry of Magic - put forth a series of restrictions: no Quidditch within 50 miles of town, then 100, and finally, in 1419, "anywhere near any place where there is the slightest chance that a Muggle might be watching or we'll see how well you can play whilst chained to a dungeon wall." Harsh! Whenever they are quoted in the book, representatives of the Council and the Ministry always sound irritable and harrassed, with most of the wizarding community annoyed with them for making yet more rules to ruin their fun. I don't think I would want such a stressful job...
Perhaps the most interesting part of the book to me is the fourth chapter, which discusses the Golden Snidget, a tiny hummingbird-like creature that was hunted heavily for sport from the 1100s on and introduced to Quidditch almost three hundred years after the first recorded game. A Chief of the Wizards' Council released a Snidget at the match, offering 150 Galleons to whoever could catch it. Though a conscientious witch in the audience Summoned the bird and released it, the tradition was established, with 150 points as the reward instead of Galleons and a player designated for the job, but the bird was always killed, and several decades later, the Council made the Snidget a protected species. While others were searching for a species of bird to replace it, a wizard (interestingly, from Godric's Hollow) took it upon himself to create a mechanical version that mimicked the appearance and movements of the bird and was bewitched to stay within the grounds of the field. I thought it was nice how Rowling managed to sneak in a little consevationist message there, while the bird explanation makes sense, since the Snitch is such an unusual ball.
The book is only about 50 pages long, and there aren't very many illustrations, but there is a replica of the latest list of those who have borrowed the book. What I find odd is that Cedric, Angelina, Ernie and a couple other Hogwarts students took the book out during summer vacation. What were they doing at school? Were they so desperate to read the book that they went back during their vacation? How did they get there? Hmmmm... Questions, questions...
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
"A Little More Love in the World"
Well, I knew that once I got into Half-Blood Prince, it wouldn't take me long to get through it, so here I am with nearly a month to go before Deathly Hallows, and I've exhausted my reading material (though I did pick up Quidditch Through the Ages at a book sale last week so I'll have to check that out). Anyway, I found it interesting how, while the bulk of the wizarding community is united in grief over Dumbledore's death, the occasion has also brought several romances out of the woodwork.
Hermione and Ron finally seem to have come to terms with their mutual affection; Ron's poisoning renewed their friendship, but Dumbledore's death seems to have coaxed those long-denied feelings out of them as they strive to comfort each other. Fleur passionately re-affirms her devotion to Bill; though this has less to do with Dumbledore than Bill's disfigurement, the two events are related, both indicative of considerable turmoil to follow. Lupin, partly assured by Fleur's acceptance of Bill as well as McGonagall's approval of love continuing to bloom even in the midst of their grief, decides to give a romance with Tonks a shot despite his concerns for her welfare.
The day of the funeral, we see Hagrid and Madame Maxime embracing one another; given their duties at their respective schools, theirs seems destined to be a long-distance relationship, but who knows what the next year will bring? There seems to be some potential with Neville and Luna, who sit together at the funeral and who have shared in two major uprisings against Death Eaters. Certainly Neville's opinion of Luna has changed since two years earlier, when he was reluctant to share a compartment with her; she hasn't grown any less eccentric, but that oddness is no longer something intimidating, and the two share a passion for Dumbledore's Army unmatched by most of its other members. Even Filch and Madame Pince seem to have latched onto one another, potentially confirming Hermione's theory that the two of them may be secretly in love. I like the idea of them as a couple; they're both so sour, they could use something to smile about, though I don't suppose Mrs. Norris would be too pleased...
In the midst of all this, of course, Harry and Ginny break up, but not really; there's certainly the expectation that if Harry manages to defeat Voldemort, which presumably will happen within the year, that he and Ginny will get back together. The only reason Harry breaks up with her is because he figures a close connection with him will put her into harm's way. He doesn't seem able to shake Ron and Hermione so easily, though, and something tells me Ginny isn't going to sit idly by twiddling her thumbs through the next year, waiting to see if Harry succeeds. I suspect she will have a role to play, even if it's from a distance.
It's interesting how tragedies bring people together. I guess they remind us of how precious life is and subconsciously inspire us to treasure those who are still with us, as well as to seek support from those who care about us. When someone dies, there's always sort of a sense of guilt involved in getting on with the business of living, as if being happy is disrespectful to the deceased. But I think McGonagall is right, and that Dumbledore would be happy to think that there was a little more love in the world. In that way, the magic at the heart of Dumbledore's power continues to flourish and will endure long after Voldemort has been vanquished.
Hermione and Ron finally seem to have come to terms with their mutual affection; Ron's poisoning renewed their friendship, but Dumbledore's death seems to have coaxed those long-denied feelings out of them as they strive to comfort each other. Fleur passionately re-affirms her devotion to Bill; though this has less to do with Dumbledore than Bill's disfigurement, the two events are related, both indicative of considerable turmoil to follow. Lupin, partly assured by Fleur's acceptance of Bill as well as McGonagall's approval of love continuing to bloom even in the midst of their grief, decides to give a romance with Tonks a shot despite his concerns for her welfare.
The day of the funeral, we see Hagrid and Madame Maxime embracing one another; given their duties at their respective schools, theirs seems destined to be a long-distance relationship, but who knows what the next year will bring? There seems to be some potential with Neville and Luna, who sit together at the funeral and who have shared in two major uprisings against Death Eaters. Certainly Neville's opinion of Luna has changed since two years earlier, when he was reluctant to share a compartment with her; she hasn't grown any less eccentric, but that oddness is no longer something intimidating, and the two share a passion for Dumbledore's Army unmatched by most of its other members. Even Filch and Madame Pince seem to have latched onto one another, potentially confirming Hermione's theory that the two of them may be secretly in love. I like the idea of them as a couple; they're both so sour, they could use something to smile about, though I don't suppose Mrs. Norris would be too pleased...
In the midst of all this, of course, Harry and Ginny break up, but not really; there's certainly the expectation that if Harry manages to defeat Voldemort, which presumably will happen within the year, that he and Ginny will get back together. The only reason Harry breaks up with her is because he figures a close connection with him will put her into harm's way. He doesn't seem able to shake Ron and Hermione so easily, though, and something tells me Ginny isn't going to sit idly by twiddling her thumbs through the next year, waiting to see if Harry succeeds. I suspect she will have a role to play, even if it's from a distance.
It's interesting how tragedies bring people together. I guess they remind us of how precious life is and subconsciously inspire us to treasure those who are still with us, as well as to seek support from those who care about us. When someone dies, there's always sort of a sense of guilt involved in getting on with the business of living, as if being happy is disrespectful to the deceased. But I think McGonagall is right, and that Dumbledore would be happy to think that there was a little more love in the world. In that way, the magic at the heart of Dumbledore's power continues to flourish and will endure long after Voldemort has been vanquished.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Snape's Loyalties
With less than a month to go until Deathly Hallows is released, I'm finally well into my re-read of Half-Blood Prince. It took me a while to dive in, reluctant as I am to admit that once this book is done, there's only the final book to go.
But now that I'm in, I'm really in. In fact, I'm zipping along at a rather alarming pace, especially considering how much I have going on right now (including some rather large job and health insurance stresses). Well, maybe it's not surprising then that I'm enjoying my escape to Hogwarts!
This is the first time I've done a full re-read of HBP since a few months after its initial release. What's striking me this time around is how front and center the question of Snape's loyalties is. That may sound obvious, but it's not something I'd stopped to consider. We all know what happens at the end, and I guess in my mind I was remembering and counting that scene so prominently when it came to reflections on Snape's ultimate loyalties, that I'd half-way forgotten how deep that set-up goes. Rowling puts it front and center with the *Spinner's End* chapter (chapter 2); then has Harry overhear the conversation between Snape and Draco; then has him talk about the conversation in turn with Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid (and we get another clearly significant overheard conversation, this one the one Hagrid overhears between Dumbledore and Snape); then Harry talks it over with Lupin who gives us what I have to believe is a major authorial nudge when he says what you believe about Snape all comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledore.
All this build-up is about as subtle as a bludger, at least in hindsight. I think that's what makes Rowling such a good storyteller. She can do these fairly obvious things, put these issues right on the table, but she interweaves them with other story strands so skillfully that sometimes you miss it -- until it about knocks you off your broom.
There's certainly no doubt in my mind that our consideration of Snape's loyalties is important, and is what Rowling wanted her readers to be doing in the space between books 6 and 7. Not, of course, that these reflections answer in any way where those ultimate loyalties lie...
25 more days and we'll know though!
But now that I'm in, I'm really in. In fact, I'm zipping along at a rather alarming pace, especially considering how much I have going on right now (including some rather large job and health insurance stresses). Well, maybe it's not surprising then that I'm enjoying my escape to Hogwarts!
This is the first time I've done a full re-read of HBP since a few months after its initial release. What's striking me this time around is how front and center the question of Snape's loyalties is. That may sound obvious, but it's not something I'd stopped to consider. We all know what happens at the end, and I guess in my mind I was remembering and counting that scene so prominently when it came to reflections on Snape's ultimate loyalties, that I'd half-way forgotten how deep that set-up goes. Rowling puts it front and center with the *Spinner's End* chapter (chapter 2); then has Harry overhear the conversation between Snape and Draco; then has him talk about the conversation in turn with Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid (and we get another clearly significant overheard conversation, this one the one Hagrid overhears between Dumbledore and Snape); then Harry talks it over with Lupin who gives us what I have to believe is a major authorial nudge when he says what you believe about Snape all comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledore.
All this build-up is about as subtle as a bludger, at least in hindsight. I think that's what makes Rowling such a good storyteller. She can do these fairly obvious things, put these issues right on the table, but she interweaves them with other story strands so skillfully that sometimes you miss it -- until it about knocks you off your broom.
There's certainly no doubt in my mind that our consideration of Snape's loyalties is important, and is what Rowling wanted her readers to be doing in the space between books 6 and 7. Not, of course, that these reflections answer in any way where those ultimate loyalties lie...
25 more days and we'll know though!
Parenting Harry
One of the defining aspects of Harry's life is the fact that he is an orphan who spent the bulk of his young life up to the age of 11 feeling completely unloved and unwanted. Yet throughout the series, he really is "brought up" by a number of remarkable people who protect and guide him.
Rubeus Hagrid - I just love when he shows up, banging down the door in that sodden shack when Vernon is so desperately trying to hide, providing Harry with as remarkable a first impression as anyone could hope for, drawing him into the world for which he was born with his expansive kindness, which runs counter to everything Harry has experienced so far. It is Hagrid who tells Harry just what he means to the wizarding community, who reveals the true circumstances of his parents' deaths, who gives him the grand tour of Diagon Alley and otherwise puts forth every possible effort to make him feel cared for. Once he gets to Hogwarts, Hagrid's hut is a sort of home away from home, where Harry - and, by extension, Ron and Hermione - always feel warm and welcome. In terms of pure affection for Harry, I don't think even Mrs. Weasley quite matches Hagrid; the bond seems to have been born when he delivered Harry to the Dursleys on that fateful night. I don't think he ever stopped wondering about how Harry was doing in the intervening years, and having seen his pathetic upbringing, he wants to make it up to him as best he can. While Hagrid isn't always the best example for Harry, sometimes encouraging him to break rules and get into potentially dangerous situations because he underestimates the damage some of his favorite creatures could do, he is always there for him, a source of comfort and comraderie; his disappearance for the first half of Order of the Phoenix was ominous and contributed to Harry's considerable malaise that year. Hagrid was the first person Harry could remember ever really loving him. He paved the way for many others, as well as helping Harry to reclaim lost memories of his parents, particularly through the photo album.
Minerva McGonagall - She's technically the first member of the wizarding world who we meet, though Dumbledore speaks before she does. From the start, she expresses concern about this boy, wondering whether he wouldn't be better off with people of his own kind, though soon seeing the wisdom in Dumbledore's decision to place him with the Dursleys. Harry meets her as soon as he arrives at Hogwarts, and as head of his House, she has more interaction with him than most professors, though she tends to keep her distance. There are some wonderful moments of the two of them together, from her whisking him off to become the youngest Seeker in a century to advising him about his career aspirations, but mostly she watches him with an air of professional detachment, her true emotions concerning him and his parents only bubbling up to the surface occasionally. Though Harry seems to find her rather intimidating even into his sixth year, he also respects her and must appreciate how much she has watched over him throughout his time at the school.
Molly Weasley - Harry's chance meeting with her at the train station - overhearing her conversation and taking a chance on politely asking her how to get on the Hogwarts Express - is quite possibly what led to him and Ron sharing a compartment, hatching a profound friendship. Chances are it would have happened anyway, but seeing the family in action gave Harry a good idea from the get-go what sort of people these were. Mrs. Weasley is the very model of a doting mother, with seven lively children and an eccentric husband to look after. She's very affectionate, especially to Harry, but also forceful. Harry is essentially adopted into the Weasley clan from this moment, as evidenced by the Christmas gifts she sends him. She does forego the more thunderous side of her personality in relation to Harry; he never has to fear a reaming out as Ron and the others do. Starting with the second book, she opens her house to him, and the Burrow encapsulates all that Harry has been missing out on. This is a real home, chaotic and messy and so full of love it seems about to burst. It is Molly who is most able to comfort Harry after Sirius's death, simply by letting him cry on her shoulder. She has filled the maternal void in Harry's life as well as anyone could, truly becoming a second mother to him, which will work out quite nicely if he and Ginny get married...
Rubeus Hagrid - I just love when he shows up, banging down the door in that sodden shack when Vernon is so desperately trying to hide, providing Harry with as remarkable a first impression as anyone could hope for, drawing him into the world for which he was born with his expansive kindness, which runs counter to everything Harry has experienced so far. It is Hagrid who tells Harry just what he means to the wizarding community, who reveals the true circumstances of his parents' deaths, who gives him the grand tour of Diagon Alley and otherwise puts forth every possible effort to make him feel cared for. Once he gets to Hogwarts, Hagrid's hut is a sort of home away from home, where Harry - and, by extension, Ron and Hermione - always feel warm and welcome. In terms of pure affection for Harry, I don't think even Mrs. Weasley quite matches Hagrid; the bond seems to have been born when he delivered Harry to the Dursleys on that fateful night. I don't think he ever stopped wondering about how Harry was doing in the intervening years, and having seen his pathetic upbringing, he wants to make it up to him as best he can. While Hagrid isn't always the best example for Harry, sometimes encouraging him to break rules and get into potentially dangerous situations because he underestimates the damage some of his favorite creatures could do, he is always there for him, a source of comfort and comraderie; his disappearance for the first half of Order of the Phoenix was ominous and contributed to Harry's considerable malaise that year. Hagrid was the first person Harry could remember ever really loving him. He paved the way for many others, as well as helping Harry to reclaim lost memories of his parents, particularly through the photo album.
Minerva McGonagall - She's technically the first member of the wizarding world who we meet, though Dumbledore speaks before she does. From the start, she expresses concern about this boy, wondering whether he wouldn't be better off with people of his own kind, though soon seeing the wisdom in Dumbledore's decision to place him with the Dursleys. Harry meets her as soon as he arrives at Hogwarts, and as head of his House, she has more interaction with him than most professors, though she tends to keep her distance. There are some wonderful moments of the two of them together, from her whisking him off to become the youngest Seeker in a century to advising him about his career aspirations, but mostly she watches him with an air of professional detachment, her true emotions concerning him and his parents only bubbling up to the surface occasionally. Though Harry seems to find her rather intimidating even into his sixth year, he also respects her and must appreciate how much she has watched over him throughout his time at the school.
Molly Weasley - Harry's chance meeting with her at the train station - overhearing her conversation and taking a chance on politely asking her how to get on the Hogwarts Express - is quite possibly what led to him and Ron sharing a compartment, hatching a profound friendship. Chances are it would have happened anyway, but seeing the family in action gave Harry a good idea from the get-go what sort of people these were. Mrs. Weasley is the very model of a doting mother, with seven lively children and an eccentric husband to look after. She's very affectionate, especially to Harry, but also forceful. Harry is essentially adopted into the Weasley clan from this moment, as evidenced by the Christmas gifts she sends him. She does forego the more thunderous side of her personality in relation to Harry; he never has to fear a reaming out as Ron and the others do. Starting with the second book, she opens her house to him, and the Burrow encapsulates all that Harry has been missing out on. This is a real home, chaotic and messy and so full of love it seems about to burst. It is Molly who is most able to comfort Harry after Sirius's death, simply by letting him cry on her shoulder. She has filled the maternal void in Harry's life as well as anyone could, truly becoming a second mother to him, which will work out quite nicely if he and Ginny get married...
Arthur Weasley - I feel like Harry's bond with Molly is a bit stronger than with Arthur, but he also is a wonderful parental figure, and very much the opposite of Vernon. He's very hard-working, yet he has a sense of youthful enthusiasm undampened by his family's lack of financial resources. He has a passion for his job and his family, and he is an ideal model of a good father. His children - with the exception of Percy, who's been seduced by the less admirable aspects of the Ministry - adore him, and he's set a very positive example in terms of treating others with respect. Harry feels more comfortable going to him with concerns than to Molly, who he doesn't want to worry, and Arthur takes what he has to say seriously and does his best to keep Harry informed so that he will be safe.
Sirius Black - His relationship with Harry got off to a strange start, since after he first heard of him, Harry spent most of the year thinking Sirius had betrayed his parents and wanted to kill him. But once he realized the truth, Sirius became as much a confidante as Hagrid, albeit much harder to confer with since he was a fugitive. Sirius represented for Harry the possibility of a somewhat normal life, a chance to escape his miserable summers with his aunt and uncle, not to mention a close link with his parents, somebody who could tell him all about his mother and especially his father. Sirius was helpful to Harry mostly as a sounding board who could appreciate the frustration he was feeling. Because of his position, he was not able to offer much more substantial assistance than that, and he saw so much of his best friend in Harry that he almost had a tendency to forget that it was not James he was talking to. But it was very comforting to Harry to know he could confide in him.
Remus Lupin - Lupin and Sirius came into Harry's life at the same time, and while he dropped out of sight for a while - and saw Harry only occasionally when he showed up again - Lupin played a major role in Harry's development in his third year, offering calm wisdom and practical advice, as well as his very useful lessons on defensive magic, particularly producing a Patronus. Like Sirius, Lupin was a good friend of James and Lily's, so he has that personal link but has a much less volatile personality - plus a lot less baggage than Sirius, who has a dozen years in Azkaban behind him as well as a guilty conscience for his unintentional role in his friends' deaths. He sympathizes with Harry but also makes an effort to help Harry see the other side of the situation, such as when he defends Snape, noting that although he leaked the fact that he was a werewolf, he always provided him with a properly prepared potion. He's a great steadying force in Harry's life.
Albus Dumbledore - He was like a father - or grandfather, or great-great-grandfather - to all the students, but especially Harry, who he watched over from a distance and did his best to protect. He also conferred with Harry personally on a number of occasions, particularly in the sixth book, but throughout the other volumes as well. The first five books all include a sort of wrap-up conversation between Dumbledore and Harry in which Harry gains insight into the events of the past year and his own history and gets an idea as to how he might proceed in the future. Dumbledore puts himself on the line for Harry, as when he takes responsibility for Dumbledore's Army and when he drinks the poison and freezes Harry, and his unwavering ideals of compassion and mercy have influenced him and undoubtedly will continue to shape Harry's soul. Although his one-on-one time with Dumbledore was limited, he had a powerful impact.
And there are others as well, from Mrs. Figg, who kept an eye on Harry for years, though he didn't realize it, to the Dursleys, who if nothing else gave him a good idea of how parents shouldn't act, and who did manage to protect him even though they never showed him any affection. And then, of course, there are Lily and James, who Harry gets to know years later through the recollections of those who knew them, snippets of his own memory and manifestations such as Priori Incantatem and his Patronus. He owes a lot of who he is to both of them and especially to Lily's sacrifice.
All in all, for a boy who felt all alone in the world for so long, Harry has a lot of people looking out for him...
Monday, June 11, 2007
Illustrator Mary GrandPre talks about Harry
There's a really nice interview with U.S. Harry Potter illustrator Mary GrandPre. No spoilers involved -- she's under huge legal pressure (among other things) to not divulge any of the story of HP7, although she's one of the few who has read it, of course.
I enjoyed the article most for her honesty about the challenges and growth in her creative process as she worked to faithfully bring Harry to life for readers over the years. It's also interesting to hear how much she'd like to go back and change the first few covers. She had no idea what she was getting into when she contracted to do the first book a decade ago; I don't think anybody did! She candidly admits her artistry and involvement has grown along with the books themselves. She also admits to some relief that all of this is over, feelings I'll bet JKR can relate to!
The other fun thing to note is that those of us who were speculating that the curtains on this cover were a sort of echoed motif of the cover for the first book were right. She doesn't say, of course, if that's all they are, but she definitely had it in mind to try to make some sort of connection between the two covers of the first and last books. I'm glad to hear that, as I suspect it bodes well for similar echoes in the writing itself.
I enjoyed the article most for her honesty about the challenges and growth in her creative process as she worked to faithfully bring Harry to life for readers over the years. It's also interesting to hear how much she'd like to go back and change the first few covers. She had no idea what she was getting into when she contracted to do the first book a decade ago; I don't think anybody did! She candidly admits her artistry and involvement has grown along with the books themselves. She also admits to some relief that all of this is over, feelings I'll bet JKR can relate to!
The other fun thing to note is that those of us who were speculating that the curtains on this cover were a sort of echoed motif of the cover for the first book were right. She doesn't say, of course, if that's all they are, but she definitely had it in mind to try to make some sort of connection between the two covers of the first and last books. I'm glad to hear that, as I suspect it bodes well for similar echoes in the writing itself.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Deluxe Cover Art Released: Norbert Sighting?
The cover art for the deluxe U.S. edition of book 7 has been released. You can see it at Leaky Cauldron, or at Scholastic (here: http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/books/covers/art7deluxe.htm) with a neat little magnifying glass feature that lets you zoom in wherever you want.
The official press release from Scholastic says the creature the trio is flying on (during a "dramatic sunset") is a dragon. Are we seeing the return of Norbert?!
The official press release from Scholastic says the creature the trio is flying on (during a "dramatic sunset") is a dragon. Are we seeing the return of Norbert?!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
That Smashed Prophecy
My mind keeps lingering on the final battle at the DOM in Order of the Phoenix, and on the courageous actions of Harry, Neville, Luna, Hermione, Ginny and Ron. And as I indicated in my last posting, I keep thinking especially about Harry and Neville as the final two left standing.
I find it really interesting that Rowling chose those two in particular to be together in that scene, instead of choosing someone else to pair with Harry. I think a lot of it comes down to Neville's own connection to the prophecy, a connection that neither he nor Harry knows about at the time (and as far as we know, Neville still doesn't have a clue).
Neville is the only other person who touches the glass sphere containing the prophecy that may just as easily have been about him (originally anyway) as about Harry. I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I don't think Neville could have taken the prophecy off the shelf since only the people directly concerned (Harry and Voldemort) could do that. At the time the prophecy was made, apparently "who it was about" was still open-ended and even perhaps up for grabs, but by the time the orb is sitting on that shelf collecting dust, it's long been ascertained that it's about Harry. His name is on it, and Voldemort, by "marking him as his equal" has actually already fulfilled part of it, unbeknownst to anyone but Albus.
So no, I don't think Neville could have taken that prophecy off the shelf. But isn't it interesting that he's the only other one who handles it in this scene? That he and Harry together are the ones actively involved in trying to safeguard it from Voldemort's clutches? Bellatrix wants it desperately and tries over and over again to get it; Malfoy's not beyond ordering the killing of innocent children to lay hands on it and deliver it to his boss. Voldemort spent a year trying to get it. It all seems like such a huge, exhausting, futile effort for something so small and fragile and easily broken.
Only Harry and Neville touch it. I can't help but think that's important, at least in some sense. Maybe it's something as simple as Rowling deciding that Neville deserved his fair share in the fight, considering his proximity to the whole story, and considering he too has been marked and wounded by this more-than-a-generation long fight with evil. Could there be something of more significance to it than that? I don't know. Should Harry tell Neville about his almost-role as the "chosen one"? If you were Neville, would you want to know?
I find it really interesting that Rowling chose those two in particular to be together in that scene, instead of choosing someone else to pair with Harry. I think a lot of it comes down to Neville's own connection to the prophecy, a connection that neither he nor Harry knows about at the time (and as far as we know, Neville still doesn't have a clue).
Neville is the only other person who touches the glass sphere containing the prophecy that may just as easily have been about him (originally anyway) as about Harry. I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I don't think Neville could have taken the prophecy off the shelf since only the people directly concerned (Harry and Voldemort) could do that. At the time the prophecy was made, apparently "who it was about" was still open-ended and even perhaps up for grabs, but by the time the orb is sitting on that shelf collecting dust, it's long been ascertained that it's about Harry. His name is on it, and Voldemort, by "marking him as his equal" has actually already fulfilled part of it, unbeknownst to anyone but Albus.
So no, I don't think Neville could have taken that prophecy off the shelf. But isn't it interesting that he's the only other one who handles it in this scene? That he and Harry together are the ones actively involved in trying to safeguard it from Voldemort's clutches? Bellatrix wants it desperately and tries over and over again to get it; Malfoy's not beyond ordering the killing of innocent children to lay hands on it and deliver it to his boss. Voldemort spent a year trying to get it. It all seems like such a huge, exhausting, futile effort for something so small and fragile and easily broken.
Only Harry and Neville touch it. I can't help but think that's important, at least in some sense. Maybe it's something as simple as Rowling deciding that Neville deserved his fair share in the fight, considering his proximity to the whole story, and considering he too has been marked and wounded by this more-than-a-generation long fight with evil. Could there be something of more significance to it than that? I don't know. Should Harry tell Neville about his almost-role as the "chosen one"? If you were Neville, would you want to know?
The Sanctity of Servitude
I really admire Hermione's zeal for achieving equal rights for House Elves, and the way she puts her idealism into action. And there can be no denying that some House Elves - Dobby is a prime example - have cruel masters who treat them horribly, and something ought to be done to prevent such a situation. But when it comes to the Elves at Hogwarts, I think Hermione's activism may be a bit misplaced.
We don't really know how House Elves have been treated historically at this school, but certainly in Albus Dumbledore they have as kind and fair a "master" as anyone could ask for. A master, it should be noted, who willingly pays Dobby for his service - and offered a much higher rate than Dobby accepted. Why should the Hogwarts House Elves want to be released from their duties at the school when they are so eager and content to provide for the comfort of the students? They are not being abused; they are merely demonstrating an admirable dedication to serving others.
I think Hermione should continue to champion these humble denizens of the wizarding world but also acknowledge the value of service willingly rendered. I think all of us could take a lesson from the House Elves from time to time.
We don't really know how House Elves have been treated historically at this school, but certainly in Albus Dumbledore they have as kind and fair a "master" as anyone could ask for. A master, it should be noted, who willingly pays Dobby for his service - and offered a much higher rate than Dobby accepted. Why should the Hogwarts House Elves want to be released from their duties at the school when they are so eager and content to provide for the comfort of the students? They are not being abused; they are merely demonstrating an admirable dedication to serving others.
I think Hermione should continue to champion these humble denizens of the wizarding world but also acknowledge the value of service willingly rendered. I think all of us could take a lesson from the House Elves from time to time.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Neville the Lionhearted
I've made no secret of my great affection for the character of Neville Longbottom. He really is one of my very favorite characters in the entire Harry Potter series. I think one reason I enjoy Order of the Phoenix so much is that Neville has such an important part to play in many of the events, and we learn far more about him.
I've always loved that Neville is in Gryffindor. It seems it would have been quite plausible for the sorting hat to have put him in Hufflepuff (hard workers, loyal, not too flashy) just as it would made some sense if the sorting hat had put Hermione in Ravenclaw (all those brains!). The fact that both are Gryffindors proves, I think, that courage is at the heart of who they are, even more than some of their surface character traits.
We've seen glimpses of Neville's courage all along, even from the beginning. Dumbledore acknowledges Neville's bravery in Sorcerer's Stone when he awards him the points that put Gryffindor over the top to win the house cup (a scene which many people, me included, hope is major foreshadowing for Neville's eventual role in the final battle). But it's in OotP that Neville really shows his Gryffindor courage. In the Department of Mysteries battle with the Death Eaters, he's the last student standing with Harry. He is resolute and absolutely determined to stand with his friend and to fight, right there in the face of terrible evil.
I think one of my all time favorite moments comes when Neville faces Bellatrix Lestrange. This is a dramatic and dark moment: here is this bloodied, broken-nosed, not-quite-fifteen year old boy facing the terrible woman who tortured his parents into insanity. When she taunts him that's she had "the pleasure" of meeting his parents, we get this line from Rowling:
"I DOE YOU HAB!" roared Neville, and he fought so hard against his captor's encircling grip that the Death Eater shouted, "Someone Stun him!"
I love Rowling for her word choice here. Note what ISN'T said...she doesn't have Neville shout, or yell, or scream, or rage, or bellow, or any of those other perfectly acceptable words. To describe what he sounds like here, she says he ROARED. As well she should. Because Neville, like Harry, is a true Gryffindor. He is lionhearted through and through.
I've always loved that Neville is in Gryffindor. It seems it would have been quite plausible for the sorting hat to have put him in Hufflepuff (hard workers, loyal, not too flashy) just as it would made some sense if the sorting hat had put Hermione in Ravenclaw (all those brains!). The fact that both are Gryffindors proves, I think, that courage is at the heart of who they are, even more than some of their surface character traits.
We've seen glimpses of Neville's courage all along, even from the beginning. Dumbledore acknowledges Neville's bravery in Sorcerer's Stone when he awards him the points that put Gryffindor over the top to win the house cup (a scene which many people, me included, hope is major foreshadowing for Neville's eventual role in the final battle). But it's in OotP that Neville really shows his Gryffindor courage. In the Department of Mysteries battle with the Death Eaters, he's the last student standing with Harry. He is resolute and absolutely determined to stand with his friend and to fight, right there in the face of terrible evil.
I think one of my all time favorite moments comes when Neville faces Bellatrix Lestrange. This is a dramatic and dark moment: here is this bloodied, broken-nosed, not-quite-fifteen year old boy facing the terrible woman who tortured his parents into insanity. When she taunts him that's she had "the pleasure" of meeting his parents, we get this line from Rowling:
"I DOE YOU HAB!" roared Neville, and he fought so hard against his captor's encircling grip that the Death Eater shouted, "Someone Stun him!"
I love Rowling for her word choice here. Note what ISN'T said...she doesn't have Neville shout, or yell, or scream, or rage, or bellow, or any of those other perfectly acceptable words. To describe what he sounds like here, she says he ROARED. As well she should. Because Neville, like Harry, is a true Gryffindor. He is lionhearted through and through.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
My Two Favorite Troublemakers
Here is a little ode to Fred and George, who may be gone from Hogwarts' hallowed halls but are keeping their legend alive there most spectacularly...
Fred and George
Fred and George, George and Fred,
Mischief-making brothers
Mirthful as their hair's red,
Much loved by the others.
Their remarks, swift and sly,
Bounce between them freely.
Bludgers flee when they fly;
Their resolve is steely.
Rarely found on their own,
Hogwarts folks see double
With these twins, cheerful clones
Trafficking in trouble.
Setting off school alarms
With each new creation,
They concoct clever charms,
Fuel Filch's frustration.
Faculty shake their heads,
Feigning disapproval;
Deeply impressed instead,
They dread their removal.
What a grand path they've forged!
Who can follow after
George and Fred, Fred and George,
Lauded lads of laughter?
Fred and George
Fred and George, George and Fred,
Mischief-making brothers
Mirthful as their hair's red,
Much loved by the others.
Their remarks, swift and sly,
Bounce between them freely.
Bludgers flee when they fly;
Their resolve is steely.
Rarely found on their own,
Hogwarts folks see double
With these twins, cheerful clones
Trafficking in trouble.
Setting off school alarms
With each new creation,
They concoct clever charms,
Fuel Filch's frustration.
Faculty shake their heads,
Feigning disapproval;
Deeply impressed instead,
They dread their removal.
What a grand path they've forged!
Who can follow after
George and Fred, Fred and George,
Lauded lads of laughter?
"I Am Not Worried, Harry. I Am With You."
I haven't started Half-Blood Prince yet, but thinking of the book always calls to mind my favorite quote from it, which occurs on 578. Mulling the scene over last night and this morning, I came up with the following poem...
Not Worried
"I am not worried, Harry,"
Said docile Dumbledore,
His kindly features withering with age.
Ensconced in silver splendor,
He searched his student for
The solace that would strengthen such a sage.
This sturdy sanctuary,
So certain and serene,
With sparkling stars reflected in his eyes,
Was Harry's firm defender.
He trusted in the teen,
Who dared not doubt the words of one so wise.
And yet, the burden boring
Into his startled soul,
The Boy Who Lived - the boy who love preserved -
Felt bravery abating,
Felt unfit for his goal,
Felt the professor's faith was undeserved.
Distressed for not ignoring
The headmaster's command
To let the poison do its deadly work,
He hesitated, hating
The foully blackened hand
And other marks received where demons lurk.
The frame, so frail and feeble.
The speech, so sadly slurred.
The weakness in a wizard once so strong.
He wished his prayers could carry
His teacher to the bird
With healing in his tears and in his song.
Unsettled by such evil,
He shivered like a child,
And yet he knew he had a job to do.
"I am not worried, Harry,"
His ancient mentor smiled,
And slowly strength returned. "I am with you."
Not Worried
"I am not worried, Harry,"
Said docile Dumbledore,
His kindly features withering with age.
Ensconced in silver splendor,
He searched his student for
The solace that would strengthen such a sage.
This sturdy sanctuary,
So certain and serene,
With sparkling stars reflected in his eyes,
Was Harry's firm defender.
He trusted in the teen,
Who dared not doubt the words of one so wise.
And yet, the burden boring
Into his startled soul,
The Boy Who Lived - the boy who love preserved -
Felt bravery abating,
Felt unfit for his goal,
Felt the professor's faith was undeserved.
Distressed for not ignoring
The headmaster's command
To let the poison do its deadly work,
He hesitated, hating
The foully blackened hand
And other marks received where demons lurk.
The frame, so frail and feeble.
The speech, so sadly slurred.
The weakness in a wizard once so strong.
He wished his prayers could carry
His teacher to the bird
With healing in his tears and in his song.
Unsettled by such evil,
He shivered like a child,
And yet he knew he had a job to do.
"I am not worried, Harry,"
His ancient mentor smiled,
And slowly strength returned. "I am with you."
Monday, June 4, 2007
Prayerful Harry Potter?
Re-reading Order of the Phoenix, which I would classify as the most consistently oppressive chronicle in Harry's adventures, I noticed that on several occasions Harry seemed to be looking to some higher power for aid. Though he doesn't address God, there is a definite air of supplication in his desperate thoughts under duress. Examples from this book:
* "If I'm not expelled from Hogwarts, I'll put in ten Galleons, Harry found himself thinking desperately." (128) It seems the sort of prayer many a panicked student has uttered: "Please get me through this test, and I'll put my whole a allowance in this week's offering." What really impresses me is the fact that on 156, he not only makes good on this promise but dumps in all his money, aiding all sorts of ailing witches and wizards in the process.
* "Don't let her be dead, don't let her be dead..." (793) Harry's in a blind panic here, not even daring to look at Hermione, but still grasping onto the hope that she might be all right.
* "Inwardly praying that Neville would stay with Ron..." (799) Here the word "pray" is actually used, and Harry's hoping that Neville will somehow understand what he wants him to do despite his inability to verbally instruct him.
* And then on 816, Harry inwardly begs, "Let the pain stop. Let him kill us..." The addressee in this case is Dumbledore, though, and since Dumbledore is a skilled Legillimens there is presumably the chance that he could actually read Harry's mind here, rendering this less a prayer than a plea for help from a fellow wizard. Still, there is a certain prayerlike vibe about it...
Anyway, it does seem to me that this time of intense crisis leads to Harry looking beyond himself and even his very devoted friends to the unseen. And it's oddly appropriate that it's the death of his godfather that sends him running to Nearly Headless Nick (861) for answers to deep, nagging spiritual questions - answers a mournful Nick cannot provide, though Luna, having undergone a searing personal loss herself, is able to offer some unexpected comfort (863) that may be enough to encourage Harry to continue considering these questions in quietude once his initial rage has died down.
There aren't a lot of overt references to Christianity in the Harry Potter series, but Christian symbols and themes abound, with important notions like self-sacrifice and mercy at the heart of the saga, and in the final book, I strongly suspect the Christian worldview will play a critical, though probably still not blatantly stated, part...
* "If I'm not expelled from Hogwarts, I'll put in ten Galleons, Harry found himself thinking desperately." (128) It seems the sort of prayer many a panicked student has uttered: "Please get me through this test, and I'll put my whole a allowance in this week's offering." What really impresses me is the fact that on 156, he not only makes good on this promise but dumps in all his money, aiding all sorts of ailing witches and wizards in the process.
* "Don't let her be dead, don't let her be dead..." (793) Harry's in a blind panic here, not even daring to look at Hermione, but still grasping onto the hope that she might be all right.
* "Inwardly praying that Neville would stay with Ron..." (799) Here the word "pray" is actually used, and Harry's hoping that Neville will somehow understand what he wants him to do despite his inability to verbally instruct him.
* And then on 816, Harry inwardly begs, "Let the pain stop. Let him kill us..." The addressee in this case is Dumbledore, though, and since Dumbledore is a skilled Legillimens there is presumably the chance that he could actually read Harry's mind here, rendering this less a prayer than a plea for help from a fellow wizard. Still, there is a certain prayerlike vibe about it...
Anyway, it does seem to me that this time of intense crisis leads to Harry looking beyond himself and even his very devoted friends to the unseen. And it's oddly appropriate that it's the death of his godfather that sends him running to Nearly Headless Nick (861) for answers to deep, nagging spiritual questions - answers a mournful Nick cannot provide, though Luna, having undergone a searing personal loss herself, is able to offer some unexpected comfort (863) that may be enough to encourage Harry to continue considering these questions in quietude once his initial rage has died down.
There aren't a lot of overt references to Christianity in the Harry Potter series, but Christian symbols and themes abound, with important notions like self-sacrifice and mercy at the heart of the saga, and in the final book, I strongly suspect the Christian worldview will play a critical, though probably still not blatantly stated, part...
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Arts at Hogwarts
It seems to me that Hogwarts doesn't have much in the way of the humanities, unless there are a bunch of classes and clubs we just don't know about because Harry isn't involved in them. On the one hand, it makes sense that a school focusing on magic might not bother with the more artistic side of things, since presumably wizards might do things the same way as Muggles when it comes to writing a story, singing a song, making a sculpture or something of that nature.
Still, I'd think they could have more of an outlet for students who are so inclined. While there is some opportunity for creativity in such classes as Charms and Transfiguration - and, inadvertently, Trelawney's class essentially is a creative writing class - there doesn't seem to be a drama club, a literary magazine or student newspaper, a hall where there are displays of student-generated work... One of my favorite additions to the third movie was the choir of toad-toting kids. I definitely don't remember any mention of that in the book, but I love the idea of there being an official Hogwarts choir, and I guess this would indicate the possibility there may be a lot more going on at that school than we get a glimpse of. I for one would be really interested to see how wizarding paintings are made, since their occupants are ever so much more vivacious than those in Muggle paintings...
On a side note, I wonder what the educational system is like pre-Hogwarts? I wouldn't think there would be enough witches and wizards of the same age to have schools on the local level. I mainly think of this with the Weasleys, since they're such a big family and we see so much of them. I'd think one of them might have mentioned something about their previous schooling experiences, but I can't recall that they have. Might they have been home schooled? Gone to a Muggle school? Or is there some sort of institution like Hogwarts for younger kids?
Still, I'd think they could have more of an outlet for students who are so inclined. While there is some opportunity for creativity in such classes as Charms and Transfiguration - and, inadvertently, Trelawney's class essentially is a creative writing class - there doesn't seem to be a drama club, a literary magazine or student newspaper, a hall where there are displays of student-generated work... One of my favorite additions to the third movie was the choir of toad-toting kids. I definitely don't remember any mention of that in the book, but I love the idea of there being an official Hogwarts choir, and I guess this would indicate the possibility there may be a lot more going on at that school than we get a glimpse of. I for one would be really interested to see how wizarding paintings are made, since their occupants are ever so much more vivacious than those in Muggle paintings...
On a side note, I wonder what the educational system is like pre-Hogwarts? I wouldn't think there would be enough witches and wizards of the same age to have schools on the local level. I mainly think of this with the Weasleys, since they're such a big family and we see so much of them. I'd think one of them might have mentioned something about their previous schooling experiences, but I can't recall that they have. Might they have been home schooled? Gone to a Muggle school? Or is there some sort of institution like Hogwarts for younger kids?
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