Stalagmite vs. Stalactite?

mrslestrange elizabethleclerc at hotmail.com
Mon Jul 19 12:16:57 UTC 2004


No: HPFGUIDX 106929

Brenda <Agent_Maxine_is at h...> wrote:
<snip>
> I started re-reading the Philosopher's Stone for the second time
> (only)... and the same thing that intrigued me the first time 
> around made me raise my eyebrows again.
>  
----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 'I never know,' Harry called to Hagrid over the noise of the 
> cart, 'what's the difference between a stalagmite and stalactite?'
> [PS, 58. UK]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Now, am I the only one who feels this line is quite... out of line? 
> <snip> Why did JKR bother putting this in? Is it important in any 
> ways?  Something to do with all the dungeons we see at Hogwarts and 
> the Ministry?


That's one of my favorite lines, I've always loved it. Because, of 
course, I too have oft wondered which is which. I thought that this 
line helped to illustrate Harry's character: you know, thoughtful, 
observant, affable, and puzzled by those blasted two words that sound 
so much alike.

By the way, I learned the trick:
stalaGmites come out of the Ground
stalaCtites come out of the Ceiling
It would be a riot if this turned out to be important!

Cheers,

"mrslestrange"





More information about the HPforGrownups archive