CHAPDISC: DH1, The Dark Lord Ascending

[afn01288]

No: HPFGUIDX 175945

> CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 
> Questions:
> 
> 1.  ... Is this a reference to World War II and the likening of the 
>Death Eaters to the Nazis, in Deathly Hallows?

afn: Certainly.  The whole idea of blood purity and superiority, with 
Death Eaters as a special group surrounding a maniacal villain was 
enough to make me think of Nazi's back in SS.  I think in DH, JKR 
makes this unmistakeable with with the salutes, prison name, etc.


> 3.  The peacock at Malfoy Manor is mentioned at least twice in the 
> book.  What is its significance?

afn: It emphasizes their vanity, but keeps us in mind of it as the 
change in DH of how they seem to really put aside vanity and false 
pride for the sake of their son in the big battle.

> 
> 4.  On the first reading of Deathly Hallows, who did you think 
might 
> be the person hanging unconscious above the table?

afn: I really wondered who it was, thinking it might be one of the 
more central characters.  When I found out it was Charity Burbage, it 
made sense, but I hardly remembered her.  It was sort of a clever use 
of a former charachter we've haven't heard about lately.


> 
> 8.  Several things that happen late in the book are alluded to in 
> this chapter.  When discussing the Imperiusing of Pius Thicknesse, 
> Yaxley suggests that Thicknesse can subjugate the other heads of 
> departments at the Ministry to bring down Minister Rufus 
Scrimgeour.  
> Was Scrimgeour killed by the Imperiused heads of the various 
> departments under Thicknesse's direction?

afn: Never thought of that, but it makes sense.  Good point.

> 11.  Wormtail is described as sitting so low that his chair looks 
> unoccupied.  Is this further sign of his physical deterioration as 
> seen in HBP?  Is this because he would rather not be there?  Is it 
> just that he is a small man?  Or is it symbolic in some way?

afn: All of the above possibly.

> 18.  When Charity Burbage's body falls to the table, several Death 
> Eaters jump back in their chairs.  Draco falls off his chair to the 
> floor.  Is this symbolic of some Death Eaters not being fully 
behind 
> Voldemort's agenda?  Or was it simply surprise?

afn: I think it was meant to be both.  First just surprise, but 
second, all of LV's DE's would have reasons to be afraid, and 
terrorism even among his closest followers was an important method of 
control.

> 20.  Voldemort has no issues with "pruning" the family tree of 
> undesirables, even though they may be pure-blood or half-bloods.  
> Yet, he is displeased with Burbage's article... 

afn: This is a good example of the difference between LV's ideology 
and the methods that are used because they serve his immediate ends.

> 
> 21.  Why does Voldemort think that Lucius does not need his wand 
> anymore?

afn: It seems like he almost issues this as a challenge to Malfoy 
regarding his complete allegiance.  It tests whether Lucius really 
believes in the reliability of LV's plan.  If LV's plans succeed 
Lucius shouldn't need to put up any defense against those who oppose 
the DE's.  Malfoy is emasculated by having his wand taken.  This also 
shows that Malfoy won't possibly be using the wand  against LV.

Thanks for a good start to discussions.  These were just a few 
questions I had ideas about.