The Seven Charms in HPSS

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 126796



> B.G.wrote
> > Each charm (in order) that guarded the Stone has so far been 
related
> > to the plot in each book.  So, we can assume that will continue 
to be the case.
> > 
> > 1. The 3 headed dog (HRH), 2. the devils snare (plant cure for 
those petrified by the monster), 3. keys - Sirus freed, 4. chess 
game - Tri-wizard Tournament, 5. troll who did not have to be 
defeated (I get stuck here), 6. potions/Prof. Snape, 7.  THE MIRROR
> > 
> > What do you think the undefeated troll means in relation to OOP?
> > 
> > I think that Snape will be a key figure in HBP if JKR set out 
the 7 themes in SS.
> > 
> > And of course a MIRROR will tie up the entire story.
> > 
> > That troll has me stumped tho, any ideas?  I'm sure you do.

Hannah:  I've heard the theory before and I'm not a great fan of it, 
mainly because I don't think JKR puts as much thought as we believe 
into these sort of allegories.  Your assertion that each task *has* 
been linked to the book of the same number is in fact open to 
interpretation.  *I'm* not assuming it will continue to be the case 
because I'm not convinced that it ever has been the case.

The trouble is with these sort of 'representative' theories, is that 
it comes down to interpretation, and anyone clever enough can find 
symbolism for whatever they want in things like the seven tasks.  
For instance; your interpretation that Snape will be a big part in 
book 6, which I fervently hope is correct, but can't agree with the 
logic.  By the same reasoning, Quirrel should have played a big part 
in OotP, McGonagall in GoF, and Flitwick in POA, yet none of them 
had any more significant role than normal in these books, and 
Quirrel never even featured.

To further highlight my point, we could argue that the tasks in 
reverse order represent the books (task 7 = book 1 etc.)  So we have 
Book 1: the mirror.  Harry finding out the truth about himself and 
his past (reflections).
Book 2: the potions.  The polyjuice potion and the potion to restore 
those who are petrified.
Book 3: the troll. Something supposedly dangerous (Sirius, the Grim) 
turns out to be non-theatening and benign (as it's unconcious).
Book 4: the chess game.  OK, that one's the same.
Book 5: the flying keys.  Things being elusive and hard to catch 
hold of, hidden.  Represents Harry's search for hard-to-come-by 
information and the hiding of the truth amongst a myriad of lies.
Book 6: the Devil's Snare... who knows?  Maybe it's an ingredient in 
a potion by Libatious Borge.
Book 7: Giant three headed dog, calmed by music.  Music is a greater 
magic than anything at Hogwarts.  Harry will snake charm LV into 
submission through playing the ukelele...

OK, the last one was a bit silly, but it's impossible to relate any 
scenario to a book we don't know that plot of yet.  I'm just trying 
to show why I find the tasks=books theory a bit implausible.  There 
are just too many ways to interpret the tasks in order to come to 
the desired conclusion.

However, to answer your initial question with regard to the troll, 
some people think it symbolises Harry being kept in the dark and not 
told anything (as the troll was unconcious).

Hannah