Turning Point of the Potter Series

[ronale7]

No: HPFGUIDX 39112

Recent letters have driven me to an unexpected conclusion--the
turning point of the Potter series may have occurred in GF, chapter 
21.  Here's why:

GF brings non-school magic to our attention--it mentions ancient 
magic at least three times (chapters 20 and 23.)  In each instance 
the magic is used for protection.  

But one non-academic magic can be used to strike--Dobby's.  Without 
incantation or wand, the green-eyed elf attacks Lucius Malfoy in CS 
chapter 18.  And all house-elves we're told, (CS chapter 3) have 
powerful magic of their own.  Yet to use it they need a master's 
permission.

Free house-elves, on the other hand, could use it as they wish.  In a 
fight they would be invaluable--perhaps telling--allies.  Hold that 
thought and look again at GF.

I had long suspected Rowling was structuring her series as 
Shakespeare structured his plays.  In Shakespeare the climax 
typically occurs in the middle, in the third of the five acts.  Thus 
I was looking for a turning point in GF, the fourth of the seven 
books.  After reading an interview with Rowling, my suspicions 
strengthened.  She said the book was pivotal in terms of plot.

But where does the turning point occur, where does the main problem 
begin to be solved and the outcome determined?  I kept looking for 
the climax in the graveyard scenes (chapters 32, 33, and 34.) 

Yet couldn't the pivot be HRH's visit to the kitchen?  There Hermione 
stresses that elves and humans should have an employer-worker 
relation, not a master-slave.  Indeed, she leaves thinking that when 
the other elves see how happy Dobby is, being free, they may want 
liberty too (chapter 21).  Certainly Dumbledore would grant it.  So 
might other masters on Dumbledore's side.

The boys during that visit are showing how humans and elves can be 
friends without either being slaves.  The trio's kindnesses delineate 
character but may have value beyond that.  They may push the elves to 
freedom.  

It's not as dramatic a climax as ghosts issuing from a wand, or 
Voldemort's using Harry's blood or touching him.  Not yet, though 
Rowling could make it so.  But the thought of Dobby leading a 
metaphorical cavalry over the hill tickles my fancy.  And it's just 
the sort of surprise Rowling loves to spring.

--Ronale7