The Potion Puzzle

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 106829

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dcgmck" <dolis5657 at y...> 
wrote:
> About Dave Witley's analysis of Snape's potion puzzle > 
> Both in terms of physical size and in terms of numbers the 
parallel seems increasingly significant with each published volume.  
> 
> Harry is physically diminutive, and he is the character whose 
forward progress through the series is essential.  He is the one 
whose search for identity and purpose most fascinates us.
> 
> Hermione is the keeper of Harry's growing legend.  > 
> Initially, Hagrid and Ron could be seen to serve as 
> Harry's "beaters", actually physically protecting him 
  Now as Harry matures, he can be seen to have two distinct 
> organizations serving that role:  the adults members of the Order 
of the Phoenix and his classmates in Dumbledore's Army.  (The scale 
does seem to be escalating.)
> 

Valky:

Sorry about before, It was just irresistable to point how why the 
Chaser was the poison. It's makes sense that you didnt see it in 
this context because it really suited the other context so much 
better. LOL (still laughing BTW, thats my first new JKR joke in 
almost a month). 

Anyway to the point, again.  I see your sense here. And it's funny 
you should equate the search for Harry's identity with the seeking 
of the Golden Snitch , the end of the game, as Jen and I were just 
discussing the precise same matter on the Fischer King thread.
So to say, we both seem to think that Harry realising his identity 
is the real end of the story, the 250 point ending that can win the 
game if the other players have done well enough, or lose it if they 
haven't but then still a win for Harry in that he has found his true 
identity and the answer to his seeking question. (as with Bulgaria v 
Ireland in the QWC, I knew I'd find something to parrallel that 
result! Krum ends the game 'on his own terms')

DG continues:
> Kinda makes for a pretty cool parallel, especially since we have 
been told that Rowling has had the entire epic outlined from the 
> beginning.  It makes formulaic sense to place one's outline at the 
> start of a piece.
> 

Valky:
Yes... and not all of us could locate the said clues for 
themselves... meaning me of course, but once I have them, I enjoy 
doing stuff with it so Thankyou DG

DG:
> 
> I'd like to propose that each of the seven volumes in the series 
will eventually be seen to correspond to one of these seven bottles 
and to one of the seven Quidditch positions.
> 
> 1 PS/SS - <snip excellent analysis of book 1>... SEEKER

> 2 COS - Harry's first encounter with a variety of poisons: 
........................................ Therefore CHASER #1

> 3 POA - Time and the ones who pursue Harry: 
..........THis could be KEEPER or................. CHASER #2



Valky:
I agree with Meltowne that book three is Chaser #2 and not the 
Keeper stage of the journey. 
I agree with the last line of defense analogy but moreover I believe 
that book three hints at the keeper but does not actually fully 
represent the backstory. 
So saying that the books parrallel not just the players but the 
actual game also. 
Book 1 is the release of the snitch 
Book 2 the game escalates the chasers have the Quaffle
book 3 the chasers are attempting to score so the keeper comes into 
play.( secret keeper.. time keeper..) but the game is still young so 
the keeper may miss or strike without it mattering all that much to 
the outcome...yet.


> 4 GOF - ducking and dodging 
Very likely..................................BEATER #1

> 5 OOTP - Voldemort's aggression and Harry's passive resistance  
poison bottle category.......................CHASER #3  
> 
> That leaves a chaser and a beater text each, a bottle of wine and 
a bottle of poison. 

Valky:
I like your take on that.
But, since I support that the Keeper remains. I will nominate that 
we will get the bottle of wine next. And the step back through 
history last, I dont know for sure why I think it will be in this 
order because there are many many reasons.
They range from Symbolism discussions to just how long I think JKR 
will hold out on telling us all who is ESE and HB and other such.
Suffice to say that I think the secrets come last in the series, 
just as Quirrel was standing before the mirror in the end of PS.

Since the next phase *is* a Beater I am sure, I have just decided to 
vote also that the HBP is the new Gyffindor Beater!!!

Great thread DG !