Blog Post 3 --The End

The Harry Potter series comes to a close with a surprising sacrifice, poignant moments, and a characterization clash with Dumbledore and Snape.

In the end, I was astounded by Harry’s self-sacrifice! To me, this biblical allusion—in reference to Jesus sacrificing himself for the sins of all—is the epitome of everything! Harry was a Horcrux, meaning he had to die for Voldemort to cease.                                                             

Something lost from the book to the movie in translation was the captivating conversation between Harry and Voldemort. This face off is one of the most important scenes in the books. It shows Voldemort insecure and ignorant. Harry shouts, “ You still don’t get it, Riddle, do you? The wand chooses the wizard” (D.H. 742).            

Voldemort wants to believe in the simple solutions; he ignored the rules, values, and limitations which ended up bringing him closer to death. Dumbledore corroborates this idea as well. At King’s Cross, Albus relays, “ Of house-elves and children’s tales, of love, and loyalty and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing,” he continues, “ That they all have a power beyond his own…a truth he has never grasped” (D.H. 709-710). This truly gives a clear representation of Voldemort and his downfall—the need to care, even about details.  Seeking omnipotence, Voldemort is crazed and fogged by what he does not know.                                                                                                                      

Powerful moments spoke to me especially in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  One of the most gripping, profound moments in the sixth book was when Harry offers Dumbledore hope coming out of the cave; Dumbledore replies, “ I am not worried, Harry, I am with you” (H.B.P. 578).  Rowling creates a beautiful image of trust, care, love and friendship. The young helping the old; Harry being bold, trying to save another. Dumbledore places so much hope on Harry that it creates a magical, unbreakable bond.                      

  My feelings changed for Dumbledore and Snape. First, Albus’s backstory of his family was frightening. I saw another side of Dumbledore that I thought never existed. “ I wanted to escape. I wanted to shine. I wanted glory” (D.H. 715).  I wanted to believe that Dumbledore was perfect, and the fact that he owns up to his mistakes shows that he is still good and righteous at heart.  Now the latter, Snape, is an extremely complex character. Having seen his thoughts and memories, I respect him and realized he was a good guy after all. When Dumbledore asks Severus, “Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?” He replies to the Doe ( a patronus of that of Harry’s mother), “Always” (687). Snape protected Harry in honor and memory of Lily, the woman he loved.  Being informed, I feel for Snape and see his pain and struggle.

         Lastly, Harry Potter has proven himself again and again to be resilient and righteous. For someone who has lost so much, he has been incredibly strong through the loss. Not only dealing with the killing of his Godfather Sirius, but fighting the biggest battle within himself. In this vivid account, Voldemort possesses Harry in the fifth book, screaming as Harry, “ Kill me now, Dumbledore. Death is nothing compared to this…And I’ll see Sirius again…” (O.O.P. 816).  Throughout the last few books, Harry has struggled separating himself from Voldemort’s mind and emotions; they’re intertwined; however, their cores differ. And Harry in the end, does not fear death but walks toward it, awaiting it…and he found that what he lost, is what he gained—life.