The Potion Puzzle

[dcgmck]

No: HPFGUIDX 106909

> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dcgmck" <dolis5657 at y...> 
> wrote:
> > About Dave Witley's analysis of Snape's potion puzzle > 
> > 
> 
> 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). 

dcgmck:
Thanks for the clarifications. I tried the link for the interview 
but was unable to access it. I have to agree, however, that the idea 
of a poisonous chaser does tickle. I just don't see canonical 
support for James as a Chaser. (See Rebecca's 11:39 p.m. post.)

>Valky: 
> (snip). . . 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')

dcgmck:
Hm... I like the idea of Harry ending the game on his own terms. 
That seems to be the underlying lesson that Dumbledore consistently 
encourages Harry to accept. It certainly matches JKR's habit of 
presaging events with simpler parallels while hiding the larger 
picture with smaller scale (tree in foreground, forest in 
background). The Triwizard Tournament seems to be on a much larger 
scale than any individual Quidditch match, yet the tournament is, by 
comparison, insignificant in comparison to the coming war, the first 
volley of which is fired as the culmination of the tournament's 
climax.

As Harry emulates and tops Viktor in the first trial, so we can hope 
that JKR will magnify her echo of Viktor's settling the match on her 
own terms. (Of course, we hope for actual as well as moral 
victory.) ;->
> 
> 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

dcgmck:
Thanks for clarifying your laughter and connecting the GoF dots. :-)
> 
> Valky:
> I agree with Meltowne that book three is Chaser #2 and not the 
> Keeper stage of the journey.

dcgmck:

I can see what you folks are saying, and I have to agree. I wasn't 
entirely comfortable with the keeper showing up so early and am 
pleased to consider a more plausible parallel.
> 
> 
> 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.

dcgmck:
I look forward to reading any and all such discussions on symbolism, 
etc. Quirrel got burned; those of us who try to second-guess JKR 
probably will too, but that IS the game right now while we wait 
between texts, isn't it?



Valky:

> > > Um.... this is Snapes puzzles right?
> > > > > > And James was a Chaser.
> > > 
> > > Chaser and Poison.. James and Poison.. James and BANE OF MY 
> > > EXISTENCE!!!
> > 
> > 
> Rebecca:
> > This works out fine, except for one thing: James Potter was a 
> Seeker (like his son Harry) and not a Chaser.
> 
> Valky:
> You know whats sad about this? That everyone is missing the joke.
> 
> Nevermind the movie blot, I wish I knew why or how that silly line 
> got into the film anyway.

dcgmck:
Actually, if you accept Witley's logic and follow the clues given in 
PS/SS, poison is always followed by wine, reading from left to 
right.  Of course, the clue is such that it suggests that the nettle 
wine is always staying close (and to the right) of the poisons.  
Either way, it can be perceived as a promise of entertainment to 
lighten the darker moments/texts.

Hm.. does that mean we're being promised that there will be an 
entertaining finish? Or that we'll be dropped back at the beginning, 
left with all our philosophical conundrums intact?

In any event, the comment about James as Seeker is only in the film.  
The first volume just says he was an excellent player, while Snape's 
memory invites the inference that James is a seeker because of the 
snitch he carries.  His actual position has not been identified in 
the books, as far as I can remember or find.

Thanks for the feedback.