Books 6 & 7 - tragedy or triumph?

[caspenzoe]

No: HPFGUIDX 107172

> Hans: 

> I have one big question about Liberation. Perhaps you people can help me
> understand this. Why is this process often depicted as being full of
> suffering and sorrow, when in fact liberation is the most wonderful and
> beautiful thing there is? I just don't know why Harry has to suffer so much.
> I don't know why Jesus' crucifixion is regarded as such torture. And the
> Alchemical Wedding with its 7 decapitations isn't exactly a tea party
> either. Yet what can be more ecstatic than to be liberated from our own
> inner evil? 


You have some very fascinating ideas Hans.

However, I think you are over-applying them. Ron and Hermoine will 
not be decapitated in any literal sense. I very much doubt either 
will even die. Since you've insisted on assigning probablities to 
your predictions (without bothering to tell us how you came up with 
your - precision implied, but not supported - odds), I'll respond in 
kind: probability - both my predictions - 99.99999%. JKR knew when 
she planned the series that the books would be read, as they in fact 
are, despite the remarkably high interest shown by adults, primarily 
by children. 

In addition, fascinating as the alchemical analogies are, and as 
convinced as I am that they probably are, in fact, the key to 
understanding the overall plan of the series, you seem to have 
missed the point to some extent: the process of transformation 
itself, in alchemy in it's esoteric sense - which is all that 
remains of alchemy as a subject of study today - in any case - let 
alone in the Harry Potter series & Potterverse, IS and always has 
been purely symbolic. Sales and our author's reputation, among other 
things, are real. 

Along similar lines, the answer to your question "Why is this 
process often depicted as being full of suffering and sorrow, when 
in fact liberation is the most wonderful and beautiful thing there 
is?" [sic] is extremely simple: because life is "full of suffering 
and sorrow," regardless whether and how "liberation" is acheived. 
There's no getting 'round that. But getting around decapitating two 
supporting heroes of a children's series and devestating millions of 
rabid fans? Piece of cake!  

Just my two-sickles,

Caspen
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