Alchemy, again

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 84149

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "smaragdina5" 
<smaragdina5 at y...> wrote:
> > It looks like John Granger, author of _The Hidden Key to Harry 
> > Potter_ and online teacher of a Harry Potter course, has a new 
> > article out:  The Alchemist's Tale:  Harry Potter & the 
Alchemical 
> > Tradition in English Literature
> > 
> > http://www.touchstonemag.com/docs/issues/16.9docs/16-9pg34.html
> 
> I;ve since digested the article and if you get a chance to look at 
> this, a lot is eye opening.  I'd read his theories before OOP came 
> out, but now there is more data.  (Ron and Hermione symbolism is 
> pretty clear... but for those who need more motivation to click on 
> the link, the article even appears to suggest that Kingsley will 
bite 
> the dust aquatically, and back a Harry/Luna ship upcoming!)


NOW ME:
I've read this, too, and while I don't buy into it all, it is 
certainly a fascinating read...particulary, I thought, 
the "Alchemical Design" section. 

Personally, I thought Mr. Granger should give more weight to the 
possibility that the presence of so much alchemical imagery & 
symbolism & even plot might just be attributable to the two things he 
himself posited but rejected:  
1) "the fertility of Rowling's imagination"; or
2) "the imaginative compost of her reading"

I've no idea why I never considered "Rubeus" as "red" before 
[big "duh!"], but I did find that part of Granger's article plausible 
[Sirius=black; Albus=white; Rubeus=red].  It's certainly interesting 
analysis, regardless of how one ultimately comes down on the issue of 
JKR's being "an alchemical writer in the tradition of the English 
Greats".

Though I must say I'm REALLY holding out hope that Granger is dead 
wrong about Harry & Luna.  Harry belongs with Ginny!!

Siriusly Snapey Susan