The Prank in DH (was Re: Predictions for the End) - Now with Music!

[va32h]

No: HPFGUIDX 167274

First Julie said:
 
> > It's also the more interesting revelation, because it 
> > spreads blame and responsibilty among everyone whose 
> > actions out of anger, spite, and hatred lead to 
> > unexpected and regrettable consequences, which is 
> > reflective of the true human condition, rather than 
> > deliniating bad guys versus good guys in a cartoonish 
> > way that isn't representative of human society. I believe 
> > that was the real point of the Pensieve scene in OotP, 
> > and will be the lesson of the Prank when it plays out in DH.
> 
Then houyhnhnm said:
> 
> I am just up to the sorting in OotP.  I overlooked the 
> following lines before because I was so intent upon what 
> the Hat said about the nature of the Houses.
> 
> /But then discord crept among us/
> /Feeding on our faults and fears/
> 
> I think the Hat is saying essentially what you said.  
> Discord crept among *us*, *our* faults and fears, not
> "those people over there".


Now me (va32h):

If you will indulge me - I find HP echoing the theme of one of my 
favorite musicals, Into the Woods, written by the incomparable 
Stephen Sondheim. The plot is simply - what happens happily ever 
after? In the second act of the play, the characters must face the 
complex and far reaching consequences of their actions from the first 
act. 

Chiefly - Jack from Jack in the Beanstalk must contend with the 
vengeance-seeking widow of the giant he slew (slayed?). 

The point is illustrated in a wonderful song called "No One is Alone" 
which I could completely sing for you here, but I won't - even though 
let me tell you - the lyrics are a perfect outline for what I see 
coming in DH. 

Anyway - the lines I am thinking of in reference to the Prank 
are "Someone is on your side, someone else is not, while we're seeing 
our side, maybe we forgot, they are not alone. No one is alone."

My interpretation - our actions do not exist in a vacuum, we have to 
be conscious of what we are doing to each other, and where our 
actions can lead us. 

I have no idea if JKR has ever seen Into the Woods, but the 
similarity of theme just gives me goosebumps. And for what it's 
worth, even though there are some surprising and poignant deaths in 
Into the Woods the hero lives! 

va32h