[HPforGrownups] Re: Books 6 & 7 - tragedy or triumph?

[Hans Andréa]

No: HPFGUIDX 107192

--- caspenzoe wrote:
>>You have some very fascinating ideas Hans. However, I think you are
over-applying them. Ron and Hermione will not be decapitated in any literal
sense. I very much doubt either will even die. Since you've insisted on
assigning probabilities 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 achieved. There's no getting 'round that. But getting around
decapitating two supporting heroes of a children's series and devastating
millions of rabid fans? Piece of cake!<<

Hans:
My sincere thanks for your post, Caspen. I really do very much prefer to be
contradicted than ignored.

First of all I couldn't tell you how I came up with my probabilities. It's
just "gut feeling". No mathematical conjuring. It's not a matter of "not
bothering to do it"; if I knew I would tell.

I do agree with you that what I've suggested does seem very improbable in
view of the objections you've named. But all I can do is repeat the reasons
I gave in an earlier post to someone else who thought decapitation
impossible. 

Jo was 24 when she received the Inspiration. Remember: Harry walked fully
formed into her life in June 1990. The whole, complete story formed in her
mind in those hours. Obviously minor things she invented later, but the
foundation on which the story is built was laid on that single day. 

Furthermore I assert the story is not hers but was inspired by people who
have walked the Path of Liberation to a Good End. Jo has repeatedly
expressed her surprise at how popular the books have become. She never
dreamed that she would sell 260 million volumes worldwide. She has often
asserted she's written the story for herself. And I repeat: she has said
that the story is set rock-solid. All the clues are laid; it's too late to
change anything. Jo is COMMITTED to this story. Don't forget she doesn't
need the money, so the point you raise about sales is invalid. Her
reputation - yes, that's important to her. But what's more important to her
I think is the story she NEEDS to tell. Remember how she said that meeting
Harry was very similar to falling in love? We must realise the POWER of this
story and the obligation Jo feels to telling it no matter what. 

Why does this story need telling? Because humanity is on the brink of the
precipice! You're right, life is full of suffering and sorrow, but not only
that, there are junctures in time when things come to a head. This is the
time of 9/11; this is the time of terrorism and Aids and human trafficking
and drug barons with economies bigger than nations and ... need I go on?
Perhaps the biggest crisis of all is the spiritual crisis humanity is
facing. Here in Holland you can buy churches by the dozen to convert into
flats. The time of the masses being led by authorities (spiritual or
otherwise) is gone. People don't want to be told what to do any longer. They
want to develop their own spirituality - from within. People are also fed up
with materialism. I'm just grabbing a few main points here and there without
being complete.

Against this backdrop of world encompassing evil and shrinking churches is
the Inspiration which this woman has accepted as a most Holy Child. She has
obviously promised to herself to nurture and bring it to maturity
irrespective of the consequences. She will bring Harry Potter to the world
no matter what it costs her. And I feel certain, totally certain, that this
Child she is giving to the world in seven parts is what the world
encompassed by evil and shrinking churches needs right now. Do you see how
the world needs a thorough shake-up for any kind of new idea to work? Only a
bombshell will make any difference! And I think that's what Harry Potter is.
On the one hand we have 9/11 and on the other we have Harry Potter. That's
how I see it. 

OK, to those people who see Harry Potter as a simple children's book what
I'm saying is beneath contempt. But Harry Potter, I assert most assiduously,
is a blast from Heaven to wake humanity up before it's too late. Why do you
think this story is so powerful? Why does it appeal so strongly to young
people? Because it's inspired! The elder brothers and sisters who have
inspired this story know exactly what humanity needs. And that's not
detracting anything from Jo. She's a genius, and that's obviously why she
was chosen to deliver the message.

But the point of all this is: to be able to deliver the bombshell there's
going to have to be some pretty earth-shattering things happening at the
end. There are going to have to be deaths and shocking events. Only then
will the story have any impact on a humanity bogged down in doubt and
despair. However I feel sure, as does Jen Reese, that there will be no
gratuitous violence. And I feel sure with Iris that any violence that does
occur will be told with the precision of a scalpel. But what needs to be
told WILL be told no matter what the consequences for Jo, Bloomsbury, or
Warner Bros. And what needs to be told will be for the benefit of humanity,
of that I'm 100% sure. If Ron and Hermione need to be decapitated then this
will be told, but in such a way that we will all know why it's needed. The
genius of Joanne Rowling will ensure we will accept it and understand it.

Yes, exactly, Caspen, Alchemy is symbolical. Harry, Ron and Hermione are
symbols of aspects of our own self. Before we can reach liberation part of
us needs to die in order that another part of us can live in freedom for
ever. If Ron and Hermione need to die it will be to live on in Harry as the
embodiment of the Philosopher's Stone. 
Hans


	
	
		
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