Spiders

[Carol Bainbridge]

No: HPFGUIDX 43646

As I was rereading book 1, I began thinking about the role of spiders in 
the HP saga.  The first time they come up, it is in the scene in Harry's 
cupboard when he is getting dressed and pulls a spider off his sock.  At 
this point we learn that Harry is used to spiders (unlike Ron).  When Uncle 
Vernon visits Harry in the cupboard a little later, some spiders end up 
dropping from the ceiling.  I've been just thinking that last was a detail 
to create an atmosphere, but I wonder now.  Does it seem to anyone else 
like they come up a lot?

Spiders play a big role in book 2 and Moody uses spiders to illustrate the 
unforgivables in book 3.  (I can't think of any spider incidents in book 
3.)  It is also spiders that Ron is phobic about, which is a contrast with 
Harry, who is quite used to them.  Maybe it's just coincidence and JKR uses 
spiders just because so many people think spiders are creepy and spiders 
are associated with creepy things (lots of spider stuff around during 
Halloween, for example).

I was just curious as to whether anyone else has wondered about all the 
spiders.

Carol Bainbridge
(kaityf at jorsm.com)

http://www.lcag.org