[HPforGrownups] Thank You (Re: Dumbledore in book 7)

[Ronin_47]

No: HPFGUIDX 164922

--colebiancardi wrote--
>>>one thing I DO remember from HBP is how alert & interested the
>portraits were when Harry & DD talked about the Horcruxes - the scene
>right after they view Slughorn's unaltered memory.

>whether or not the portraits can have "intellectual discussions" (and
>I think they can...), they do have a lot of knowledge and they do know
>about the Horcruxes. And that is important.<<< 

 

 

 

 

--Ronin's Comments-

Granted, the portraits certainly aren't afraid to express their opinions
about certain things and they sure are nosey. Lol

Phineus Nigellus is particularly outspoken and even seems to show grief when
he finds out that his great, great grandson has been killed.  I think that
they are extremely limited however and that is why Dumbledore would not take
their advice on important matters. (Though he may have considered their
input)

Since they are confined to only what events take place near their portrait
locations, they will have knowledge of some events. But it cannot be
reliable and accurate in many cases because their view is so limited and
they may take events out of context. They are only impressions of their
living selves and cannot venture beyond the confines of their various
frames. (Aside from when they are traveling to their other portraits,
although they only seem to take in information from their own portraits)

Basically, what I'm saying is that portraits seem unreliable. Even if they
are able to show concern and speak intelligently, we've been told that they
are mere impressions of their former selves. There are too many variables.
We don't know what pieces of their former selves or former memories are
lost. We can not rely too firmly on their eyewitness accounts because their
view is limited to the rooms where their portraits are housed. 

They may only seem eager to listen in and sometimes join in to the
conversations around them because they are so limited and bored. (Just my
opinion)

No doubt portraits have their uses. But I don't think that Dumbledore's
portrait will be anywhere near as useful as he was in life. The portrait may
guide Harry to certain things, such as memory vials, etc. But I don't think
they will have any knowledge that Harry hasn't already discovered about
horcruxes. I mean, if they had known and had told Dumbledore about them,
Harry wouldn't have been charged with getting the memory from Professor
Slughorne.

I am currently reading HBP again and have not reached the scene you are
referring to. I don't argue that portraits are important and useful though,
only that they are somewhat skewed and can not be the key to Harry's
success. 

I haven't been able to read as much as I'd like because I'm also in the
middle of my session finals and have to study, but I will certainly pay
close attention when I read the scene you've mentioned.

 

 

Cheers,

Ronin



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