Mental Discipline in the WW: A Comparison (long)

[nrenka]

No: HPFGUIDX 130243

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:

> Pippin:
> Hmmm...."not knowing how" doesn't get a lot of mention in the text 
> either, does it? 

Ch 24:

"Well, for a first attempt that was not as poor as it might have 
been", said Snape, raising his wand once more. 'You managed to stop 
me eventually, though you wasted time and energy shouting. You must 
remain focused. Repel me with your brain and you will not need to 
resort to your wand."

"I'm trying", said Harry angrily, "but you're not telling me how!"

"Manners, Potter", said Snape dangerously. "Now, I want you to close 
your eyes."

Harry threw him a filthy look before doing as he was told. He did not 
like the idea of standing there with his eyes shut while Snape faced 
him, carrying a wand.

"Clear your mind, Potter", said Snape's cold voice. "Let go of all 
emotion..."

But Harry's anger at Snape continued to pound through his veins like 
venom. Let go of his anger? He could as easily detach his legs...

"You're not doing it, Potter... you will need more discipline than 
this... focus, now..."

Harry tried to empty his mind, tried not to think, or remember, or 
feel...

------

Sounds like Harry could use some useful discussion of method rather 
than the generic "focus, clear your mind" mantra.  He *asks* how to 
do this, and all he gets is the 'close your eyes' and then comments 
that he's not focusing.  How do you focus?  How do you let go of 
anger?  Those are all valid questions packed into the "you're not 
telling me how".

<snip>

> I have been thinking about JKR's remark that 'destiny' is just a 
> word we use when a choice has dramatic consequences, and 
> thinking that she may have a similar opinion about 'heroism'
> and 'villainy' or even 'good' and 'evil.' In other words, would
> we care so much about who was at fault for the failure of
> the lessons if Sirius hadn't died? 

Probably not.  But in some ways (it's not the only factor leading to 
that outcome, of course) it's the culmination of the pattern of 
Snape's actions towards Harry.  The animosity begun by Snape and 
continued and not resolved finally exploded into something with 
tragic results for Harry.  Harry doesn't trust Snape because of how 
Snape has behaved towards him, and all those everyday little bits add 
up over time.

And the most devoted fans of the good professor wonder why JKR keeps 
warning them and asking why people love him? :)

-Nora is, of course, open to all options but doesn't believe in 
betting against the author in a WiP