Blog 3

I was pleased with the end of the series. Although bittersweet, the series ended in a way that was relatively acceptable. As an avid reader, I am never fully happy with an end of the series, mainly because I don’t want the story to end. With this being said, there were certain aspects of the last few chapters that gratified me more than others. I remember being confused the first time I read the end of this book because Rowling ties up numerous loose ends. A great example of this would be Chapter 33. In this chapter, we learn why Snape has acted the way he has throughout the series. First, we see how close of a friendship Lily Evans and Severus Snape had during their years at Hogwarts, “…thought we were supposed to be friends? Best friends” (Chapter 33). We also see the start of Snape’s change in loyalty, from Voldemort to Dumbledore, because of Severus’ love for Lily Evans. “Hide them all, then. Keep her- them- safe. Please” (Chapter 33).

Unfortunately, Rowling apparently loves to kill off integral characters, which is a pretty important part of this book and of this series as a whole. As I remember becoming confused the first time I read this book, I also remember bawling like a giant baby, while becoming angry at the same time. Of course we were all upset about Hedwig and Moody dying in the beginning, but at the end of Chapter 31, we lose our first key character, Fred Weasley. “And Percy was shaking his brother and Ron was kneeling beside them, and Fred’s eyes stared without seeing, the ghost of his last laugh still etched upon his face” (Chapter 31). Rowling apparently thought that one key death wasn’t enough, so she decided to kill off numerous others including Ted Tonks, Vincent Crabbe, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Lavender Brown, Colin Creevy, Severus Snape, among others. A word to sum this up: devastating. Did the deaths change my thoughts about the series as a whole? No, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t incredibly upset because of them.

Rowling takes our emotions for a whirlpool throughout this last book. She ties up loose ends, kills our favorite people, and writes an epilogue none of us will soon forget. Again, I enjoyed how she ended the book and I hope there will always be new information about the boy who lived for years to come. I ended this book with a heavy heart, but I have an immense feeling of satisfaction, which only comes from a one of a kind story. 

Deathly Hallows is my favorite book in the Harry Potter series, and I think the ending is very well done.  I really can’t think of any specific problems I had with the way the ending was written, although I know that some fans have argued, for instance, that Harry should have died when Voldemort hit him with the Avada Kedavra curse.  However, I did think that there were many poignant moments throughout the last book. In my opinion, some of the more emotional scenes involved characters dying during the attack on Hogwarts.

The saddest deaths for me were Fred Weasley, Tonks, and Lupin. Fred was killed in an explosion during the battle at Hogwarts and his death was particularly sad because of the reactions of his family members and friends, and because he was a funny and well-liked character. After Fred dies, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are distraught. Despite the fact that the trio must find and kill Nagini, Ron wants to join the battle; he tells Hermione that he wants to kill death eaters (p. 640). And Harry observes that Ron’s “face was contorted, smeared with dust and smoke, and he was shaking with rage and grief” (640).  Later, when the trio arrive in the Great Hall where everyone is gathered during a break in the battle, Harry sees the Weasleys grieving - “Harry could not see Fred’s body, because his family surrounded him. George was kneeling at his head; Mrs. Weasley was lying across Fred’s chest, her body shaking, Mr. Weasley stroking her hair while tears cascaded down his cheeks” (661). Fred’s death was very sad for Harry, who sees the Weasleys as a family to him, because he doesn’t want any of them to suffer. Fred, along with George, was a beloved character who was always joking and playing pranks, and he often helped Harry (e.g. by bequeathing the Marauder’s Map to him).

Lupin and Tonks were also a major loss for Harry and others.  The pair had just gotten married and had a newborn baby, so it was therefore especially tragic for them to die without being able to raise their son (in the same way Harry’s parents died when he was only one year old). J.K. Rowling has stated that the reason she killed Tonks and Lupin was to show that “one of the most horrifying things about war is how it leaves children fatherless and motherless” (EW Magazine*).  When Harry sees the bodies of those killed in the battle, he is not only devastated, but feels tremendously guilty - “He could not draw breath. He could not bear to look at any of the other bodies, to see who else had died for him. He could not bear to join the Weasleys, could not look into their eyes, when if he had given himself up in the first place, Fred might never have died” (p. 662).  The deaths of all of these characters is not only terrible for Harry, but also the reader. I felt like I got to know each one, so it was very sad to see them die.

The character who I changed my mind the most about, aside from Snape, was Narcissa Malfoy.  Although I still do not think of her character as a particularly good person due to her involvement with death eaters and her disdain for people and creatures she believes to be inferior to herself, I was moved when she saved Harry’s life by telling Voldemort that he was dead. After Voldemort and Harry face off in the Forbidden Forest and Voldemort hits him with the killing curse, both of them are knocked unconscious. When Voldemort wakes up, he tells Narcissa to verify that he has successfully killed Harry. Narcissa, however, can see that Harry is still alive and she asks him, “Is Draco alive? Is he in the castle?” (p. 726).  The only thing Narcissa Malfoy cares about at this point is making sure that her son is alive; she no longer cares about Voldemort’s goals. I changed my mind about Narcissa Malfoy, and decided that she was not all bad after she saved Harry’s life, and also after reading this quote, “Harry Potter was saved by a mother’s life more than once.”  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the source for this quote, but I have included an image I found on Pinterest. The quote and image show that Harry was saved and protected by his own mother’s love, but that he was also protected by Molly Weasley, who acts like a mother to him, and by Narcissa Malfoy, because she only cared about saving her son. I really appreciate the way Rowling shows how strong the love a mother has for her children can be. 

* EW Magazine:

http://www.ew.com/article/2011/11/01/jk-rowling-harry-potter-hagrid-lupin 

Blog 3 - Death of a Gryffindor

Blog 3 - Death of a Gryffindor 

As the Harry Potter series ends, I felt J.K. Rowling explained and brought closure for each conflict of issues within the Wizarding World. Or at least she created a tiny closure towards the elongated and complex concerns (like the house-elves, runaway Death Eaters, Deathly Hallows, and etc.). However, there is one particular element, I want to focus on the death of a significant Gryffindor, Colin Creevey. From the Harry Potter series, we meet this highly spirited and passionate character in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where we find out Colin is a Muggle-born. He was excited about learning the Wizarding World like Harry, Colin “ ‘never knew all the odd stuff [he] could do was magic till [he] got the letter from Hogwarts. [His] dad’s a milkman, he couldn’t believe it either’ ” (Chamber of Secrets, 96). J.K. Rowling establishes this character as a Muggle-born, and passionate about Hogwarts and what Harry stands for.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the audience reads about his death because he stayed behind to protect Hogwarts and Harry. But the problem I see is how did he attend Hogwarts when he was a Muggle-born? He wouldn’t have been there to begin with because of the Muggle-born Register. The Daily Prophet says, “ ‘Recent research undertaken by the Department of Mysteries reveals that magic can only be passed from person to person when Wizards reproduce. Where no proven Wizarding ancestry exists, therefore, the so-called Muggle-born is likely to obtained magical power by theft or force’ ” (Deathly Hallows, 209). Therefore, Colin would have gone to Azkaban because he has “stolen” his magical abilities or he would be on the run like Dean Thomas from the Snatchers; he would not have attended Hogwarts his sixth year. Did he lie about his magical background? Why did Colin Creevey die? When he would have not been there in the first place. Perhaps J.K. Rowling established Colin’s death this way because he would have stayed behind and defended Hogwarts and his death critically affected Harry. Harry didn’t want anyone else to die for his cause, “Harry glanced down and felt another dull blow to his stomach: Colin Creevey, though underage must have sneaked back just as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had done. He was tiny in death” (Deathly Hallows, 694). There is a problem of how Colin had success in attending Hogwarts and why he died. Perhaps Colin’s death was a method in which J.K. Rowling used to help Harry accept death and continue the story’s flow. But I will always wonder about Colin Creevey.

                               

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.

Make up Quiz 4 - Katelyn Corich

Throughout the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling depicts many circumstances where characters are given second chances. I for one noticed many of these second chances in characters in The Goblet of Fire. The first character that comes to mind for me is Ron Weasley. Once Harry's name is pulled out of the Goblet of Fire, he is forced into the position of a Triwizard Champion, with even more fame and popularity thrown at him than he already had as "the boy who lived." It is immediately obvious that Ron is jealous of Harry's new level of popularity and extremely hurt that he was not included in Harry's supposed scheme of entering into the tournament.

For the weeks leading up to the first task Ron and Harry refused to speak to each other after Ron will not hear Harry's explanations of his innocence in the situation; Ron refuses to believe him. This is very troubling as a reader, being so used to this dynamic duo working together in every chapter. To have them separated and fighting for a somewhat large chunk of the book is hard to bear. For awhile it did not seem that they would patch things up, given the dirty looks and hushed whispers at Harry's expense from Ron in the hallways but eventually readers learn that Ron did try to redeem himself when it came to the first task Harry was supposed to face - battling a dragon.

Harry received a long slew of messages ultimately that Hagrid wanted to see him. As it turned out Ron had found out what the task was going to be through his brother Charlie, who worked with dragons, and went out of his way to inadvertently lead Harry to them through Hagrid. In this gesture it appears that Ron wanted to fix his friendship with Harry and wanted to see him succeed in the dangerous task that laid ahead.

Although their friendship was not quite fixed once Harry received the information about the dragons, it was not until he actually fulfilled the first task, retrieved the golden egg with the clue for the next task, did Ron finally "get over himself," so to speak, and admit to Harry that he was in the wrong. After this moment, Harry welcomed Ron back into open arms. Immediately putting their troubles behind them.

Although this is a rather small instant of redemption throughout the series, I admired how Rowling put it into the book. Harry and his friends no doubt live under extremely fantastical circumstances, but they still go through the same ups and downs with friends and stress as any other growing teenager. Through this situation particularly, Rowling shows how even the closest of friends can have rough patches but even during them they still want the best for the other.

MISSED QUIZ--Parental Figures Book 5 Austin Gage

             In Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, the fifth book in the series, Rowling writes of the forms of parental figures. By examining elements of common and uncommon relationships of Harry Potter, readers may make out the emotional ties and dynamics. Tragically, Harry Potter's parents were killed. Fortunately, Rowling creates characters who act as parental figures to him, embarking guidance, wisdom and love. 

          Mrs.Weasley makes Harry feel he is at home. She extends friendly hospitality at Sirius’s place. At the Grimmauld Place, “She was beaming in welcome as she hurried toward them…pulling [Harry] into a rib-cracking hug before holding him at arm’s length” (O.O.P. 61). Molly’s maternal instincts emphasize care for Harry as he is in her presence. Futhermore, her role speaks of the necessities of living: shelter (a home), food, and water. And the action of giving, as she offers these needs to Harry.  Mrs. Weasley, her family all ready at large, is happy to make Harry feel like one of her children. She strives to protect him from knowing about the dark magical world. She is zealous in her pursuit to protect Harry.  She says to Harry, " You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!" (O.O.P. 89). Mrs. Weasley takes on a mother role because she sees Harry as parentless. Even though Sirius points out that he is Harry's Godfather, Molly snaps fiercely, " The thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it?" (O.O.P. 90). Because Molly's character analysis is centered in motherhood, her intentions are out of love for her progeny; she wants the best for Harry. She sees his need for growth through education and development as he's just a teenage boy, and feels a heavy responsibility to look after him and keep him safe. This non-traditional dynamic between Molly Weasley and Harry would simply be mother and son. Thankfully, Rowling writes of positive, influential beings in Harry's life as he faces his darkest battles. Another character compliments Mrs. Weasley well in the fifth installment, Sirius Black.          

             Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather, gives him guidance and knowledge. Black relaying messages to Harry to inform him of the work outside the school, shows a strong tie of unity between the two, that Sirius wants Harry to be cognizant of the dangers, fears and truth that are blocked by inside forces--Dolores, and the Ministry.  In the chapter, "Percy and Padfoot", Sirius's head appears in the fire to say, "Our information from inside the Ministry is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat" (O.O.P. 303). Black is one of the few people Harry can trust; Harry's life now with Dolores Umbridge and the Ministry's overwhelming involvement is tightly confined and restricted. Sirius acts against the authority in a resistance group, the Order of the Phoenix, to show his fight to defeat the Dark Lord with a determined, active group.

               Harry and Sirius's relationship presents some conflict as one of Sirius's struggles is accepting that Harry is not his father, James. He tells Harry at the end of their conversation,  "You're less like your father than I thought...the risk would've made it fun for James" (O.O.P. 305).  Therefore, this relationship is not necessarily a father/son combination; but rather, a Godfather/friend arrangement. Sirius sees Harry as James and this makes for an awkward, but close relationship. Molly insists, " Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!" (O.O.P. 89). Sirius's hope or view of Harry would be challenging as he feels like he is disappointing him--Harry would feel the need to be his father, whom he never knew. Of course, Sirius loved Harry, and Harry loved him. Harry also knew of the sacrifices Sirius made for him. After Sirius was killed, "some part of [Harry] realized...Sirius had risked everything, always to see Harry, to help him" (O.O.P. 808). Harry's realization and reaction to Sirius's death proves his close relationship with Sirius; he turns livid and seeks revenge, for the loss of his loved one. Harry bellows wildly,"SHE KILLED SIRIUS! SHE KILLED HIM--I'LL KILL HER!" (O.O.P. 809). This emotional anguish overcomes Harry incredibly so that he wants to kill, and he has always been the hero. Darkness has killed Harry's relationship, rooted in resilience and redemption with Sirius.  Both have endured similar pain, the need to hide, and have had the hope of making things right in the Magic World. Harry has lost another father, except this time, he knew him, which makes it that more painful. Dumbledore confesses, "You have now lost your mother, your father, and the closest thing to a parent you have ever known" (O.O.P. 824).   The strong bond comes from a mutual understanding; Sirius lost his best friends, as Harry lost his parents. They have both been outcasts, famous, misunderstood, criticized, and criminalized. 

               Molly has acted as a mother figure as Sirius has taken the role of a father. Interestingly, they both bicker about what they think is best for Harry, and speak comments of disapproval. When Hermoine states the risk of Sirius appearing at Hogsmeade, Sirius states, " You sound like Molly" (O.O.P. 301). They both have an interesting relationship as well, but Harry has/had these people in his life to help him or protect him, with the basic necessities of life, and the biggest battle he'll ever face, Voldemort.