Structure of the Seven books (Long)

[ivogun]

No: HPFGUIDX 155847

Rowling has made it known that she has an overall plan for all seven books. Much of the 
planning involves keeping the events of the plot straight, but I think to some degree she  
may be utilizing a classical design where the first book mirrors the last, the second book 
mirrors the next to last, the third book mirrors the third from the last, and the forth is a 
pivotal book or climax. Variations of this structure can be noted in all sorts of literature 
ranging from Bible and other mid-eastern literature, classical plays, Shakespeare, poetry 
etc. al.

I see a lot mirror images or parallels between book two (COS) and book six (HBP).

There are several parallels with Hagrid in these books. IN COS, we learn that Hagrid 
hatches Aragog, sets him free and thinks the spiders are his friends. In HBP, Hagrid buries 
Aragog, after kidnapping a dead/dying Aragog, and learns that the spiders are not his 
friends. In COS, Hagrid is taken from his hut, while in HBP; the hut is taken away (burned 
up) from Hagrid.

Likewise there are mirror images between the two books that involve the Malfoys. In COS, 
Lucius Malfoy is a haughty, powerful trustee of Hogwarts. In HBP, Lucius is grateful to be a 
powerless, but safe prisoner. In COS, Harry and Ron use polyjuice potion (made by 
Hermione) to become Crabbe and Goyle in order to spy on Draco.  Draco admits to them 
during this event that he wants to help the Dark Lord. In the HBP, Crabbe and Goyle use 
polyjuice potion (made by Draco?) In HBP, Harry discovers that Draco is bound to help the 
Dark Lord, but that now Draco doesn't want to help Voldemort anymore.  In COS, Myrtle 
likes Harry who only tolerates her; however, in HBP, Myrtle likes Draco who surprisingly 
seems to like her.

In both books, there are parallels with Harry. In both books Harrry enters dangerous, 
magically protected caves--in COS it is the chamber of secrets, and in HBP, it is the cave.  
Both events seem to have symbolic meanings beyond just the literal. In COS, Harry frees a 
house-elf, but in HBP Harry becomes a master of a house-elf. At the end of COS, 
Dumbledore speaks to Harry in McGonagall's office, while in HBP, it's McGonagall who 
talks to Harry in Dumbledore's office.

There are a few mirror images with Harry that include Ginny a bit too. In COS, it is an old 
schoolbook (Tom Riddle's diary) that almost kills Ginny and Harry. In HBP, it's another old 
schoolbook that helps make Harry an excellent student in potions. In COS, Ginny is in love 
with Harry. In HBP, Harry realizes he loves Ginny.

In COS, the DOA teacher (Lockhart) is a show-off and a publicity seeker. In HBP, the DOA 
teacher (Slughorn), has been in hiding for a year before the start of the book and would 
prefer to work behind the scenes.

Fawkes, Tom Riddle, and Griffindor's sword are featured in both. In both book, it is Harry's 
loyalty and obedience to Dumbledore that saves Harry's life (in the chamber in COS and on 
the tower in HBP.)

I also see a few parallels between book three (PoA) parallels with book five (OotP).

In PoA, Harry finds Sirius and learns of the marauders (secret group). In OotP, Harry loses 
Sirius and learns of the Order of the Phoenix (another secretive group. In PoA, Sirius 
escapes prison. In OotP, Hogwarts becomes a prison. In PoA, Lupin is the best DOA 
teacher that Harry ever had. In OotP, Umbridge is the worst DOA teacher that Harry has 
ever had. In PoA, the hippogriff bites Draco. In OotP, it is the same hippogriff that is hurt. 
And of course, dementers attack Harry in both PoA and OotP, and Harry's Patronus are 
important in both books too.

Both PoA and OotP portray treacherous and loyal individuals. In POA, we find that Sirius 
(falsely accused of betraying the Potters) and Pettigrew (an opportunistic snitch--a rat). In 
OotP, Umbridge should have been accused of traitor (but wasn't) and Marietta who was 
pressured into a betrayal.

In PoA, Neville gains a bit of confidence with Snape in the Bogart class. In OotP, Neville 
faces Bella (who tortured his parents into madness) with a surprising amount of 
confidence.

Of course, since book seven is not yet written so the parallels between the two books are 
unknown, but I think the assumptions that parallels exist between the two books gives rise 
for interesting speculation.

Finally, book four (GOF), which in this structure should be a climax, a crisis,  a turning 
point or the book where the most import theme is emphasized. But which?  One possible 
contender could be unity.  The houses of Hogwarts unite (in the contest against other 
schools) and everyone (in all houses and all the visitors) remain at Hogwarts for Christmas. 
More likely, it is something from the graveyard scene. It could be facing death, or perhaps 
it is the duel between Voldemort and Harry where Harry and his wand win over Voldemort. 
Not exactly sure, but I guess, I should reread GoF.