prophecies and choice

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 108401

> vmonte responds:
> 
> I hate the prophecy as well. I've mentioned several times that it 
> takes away from JKR's highlight of the importance of free will 
(that 
> runs throughout the books).

Jen: I felt that way too, my first read-through of OOTP. And for 
that reason I agree even more with Dumbledore's decision not to tell 
Harry about the Prophecy before OOTP. Instead, Harry made a choice 
to defeat Voldemort without even knowing about the Prophecy. Even as 
early as age 11, Harry felt a tremendous need to blook LV's attempt 
to return to full power, whatever the personal cost. Maybe he didn't 
know *everything*, but the truth he did know was enough for him to 
make that decision.

As for whether the Prophecy negates choice, it does to a certain 
extent, but no more than how each of us is limited by the 
combination of genetics/environment/fate etc., all the factors that 
contribute to our choices. Personally, I often wished to have some 
kind of artistic gift like music or art, something I pursued 
passionately, but it wasn't meant to be (and I found HP instead 
<g>). So to me, Harry's choice is only limited by his particular 
circumstance, which is unique for sure, but not predestined by any 
means.

vivian:
> I even put forth the theory that the prophecy was a hoax. That it 
was 
> developed by somebody who was trying to distract the Order and the 
> DEs. If Voldemort had ignored the prophecy in the first place he 
> would have conquered the WW by now.  
> 
> Maybe Trelawny is a fraud who is being controlled and is 
channeling 
> the intentions of some traitor within.  Who ever it is they know 
> Voldemort very well. They have played up to his ego by calling him 
> the Dark Lord in the prophecy, while also playing to his greatest 
> fear: his fear of death.


Jen: That could be true; JKR did say in an interview she doesn't 
believe in prophecies. Don't know if that means anything, but it 
came to mind reading your theory. I hope this isn't the case, just 
for personal preference, but well...I'm getting used to the idea 
certain parts of the ending may not be *my* perfect ending!