OoP - Jenny's Big Questions - Spoilers!

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No: HPFGUIDX 61530

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jenny_ravenclaw" 
<meboriqua at a...> wrote:
> Hey!  Wow - we made it!  I am still digesting it all and am 
currently 
> on my second read.  I have some burning questions, though and 
wonder 
> what you all think.
> 
> S
> P
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> F
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> 
> 1. What do you all think of House Elves now, especially with the 
awful 
> Kreacher being introduced?  Do they really choose their lot or are 
> they completely "trained" by their owners (as Dumbledore implied)?

I don't think we can ENTIRELY rely on classical references, as 
Rowling has her own take on things. However, if anyone's read "The 
Elves and the Shoemaker," I see house-elves as very similar. It is in 
their nature to serve - Dobby still does, even though he's free. I 
don't think we can really draw any conclusions about what brings a 
house-elf into long term service, though, because it could easily be 
explained any number of ways.
> 
> 2. What do you think of Harry using Crucio on Bellatrix?  This was 
a 
> big shock to me.

Dude, when Voldemort finds out all the details, things are gonna go 
to hell. "Hm, wow, you used an Unforgivable when I killed Sirius. 
Wonder what happens if I kill... oooo. Choices, choices..."

Also, we'd seen earlier that Harry demonstrates absolutely NO control 
over his emotions and very little control over his choices and 
actions that result. I found this very interesting the whole way 
through the book.

> 
> 3. Why do you think JKR chose for Sirius to be the one to die?  Was 
> she taking it too far for Harry?

Well, I think it was poorly set up, but I can sort of understand it. 
With each book, the stakes have to get higher. More is at risk. 
That's the nature of a story - things get more intense as you go 
along. In this book we see Sirius as a risk-taker both now and in the 
past. If he'd found out about a big ol' fight, I think he would have 
left the house, even if Harry HADN'T been involved.
> 
> 4. What do you think of the way JKR portrays the MoM - and 
government 
> in general?

It's run by people. People are fallible. And when your leader isn't 
all he should be, you're in trouble.
> 
> 5. Should Hagrid stay on as CoMC teacher?  Am I the only one who 
> continues to think he's a moron?

I don't think he's a moron. But I don't think Dumbledore's keeping 
him around just for his skills at teaching. He came up with Prof. G-P 
quickly enough, and as they all noticed, she was a better teacher 
than Hagrid. I guess my answer is "there's got to be more to it than 
that."
> 
> 6. Why did Percy turn his back on his family, especially his 
mother?  
> What will become of him now?

Percy is a snob and a legalist, and he's got blinders on as much as 
the Dursleys do. He will continue to work as Junior Assistant and 
will reconcile with his family only if he *has* to, as it would mean 
swallowing his pride and admitting he was wrong, which would be very 
tough for him to do.
> 
> 7. Are we supposed to dislike James Potter now?
> 
As others have said, no.

> 8. Who else dreamed about Harry last night?

Don't think I did.