Literary Symbolism in PoA

[ggershman77 <ggershman77@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51962

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "samnjodie 
<englishatjodie at h...>" <englishatjodie at h...> wrote:
> 
> A friend and I were discussing a possible symbol employed by 
Rowling 
> that we both really really like.
> 
> We think that the Dementors, and the effect that they have over a 
> person, is a symbol of depression and the effect that it has over a 
> person.
> 
<snip>

That is an excellent analysis.  You can take it one step further and 
notice that ALL of PoA deals with combating and dealing with your 
emotions.  From the beginning, when Harry loses control of his 
*anger* and inflates Aunt Marge, to the very end when Harry chooses 
to control his anger and show mercy to Pettigrew, the entire book, 
and all the characters, are shown in varying degrees of dealing with 
their emotions (anger and fear are the main ones).

A few other highlights: Lupin is the classic example of someone who 
has conquered his emotions (both his fear and his anger).  Snape 
gives in to his anger and mistakenly contributes to Pettigrew's 
escape.  The Hippogriff Buckbeak, while noble, is very proud and 
quick to anger; while this is part of its character, it gets him into 
trouble (JKR is very fond of using animals as examples of themes).  
Harry learning to conquer fear by summoning happy thoughts is another 
excellent example.

Greg
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