[HPforGrownups] Re: Dumbledore's death

[Jeremiah LaFleur]

No: HPFGUIDX 164320

valcalkin:
> I am a first time poster myself and I have often wondered about your
> question. It is also worthwhile to mention that since Dumbledore's
> patronus is a phoenix-hmmmmm. It is interesting that other
> characters have shared certain abilities or aspects of their
> personalities with the image that is their patronus. At the very
> least, the patronus has a special meaning to it's owner. Although
> it may be wishful thinking, I believe your argument plausible.
>
>

Angie's response:
The only problem with the Phoenix theory for Dumbledore not being
dead is that the Phoenix has to burst into flames at the exact time
of death the be reborn. Dumbledore did not burst into flames at his
exact time of death but at his internment.



Carol responds:
Other posters have already linked you to JKR's response to Salmon
Rushdie's question about Snape and Dumbledore faking DD's death. we
know for sure that, Phoenix or no Phoenix, he's dead and Harry is
(more or less) on his own. Of course, he still has Hermione and Ron,
and he can consult the Order for help about some things, and we're all
anticipating Pensieve visits and conversations with
Portrait!Dumbledore, but that's different from having Dumbledore
himself to guide and teach him. (DD's death, of course, also provides
a reason for Harry not to attend Hogwarts for his seventh year, though
if they survive, I rather expect HRH to return a year late to finish
their education). one thing I'm certain of: DD won't return as a
ghost. He's made it clear that he views death as "the next great
adventure" and, as NHN (Nearly Headless Nick) says of Sirius Black,
"he will have gone on."
==============================



Jeremiah:



Hi all...

Um, I think that Dumbledore, through careful reading of the text, is a human
being and not a Phoenix. In this (exasperatingly sarcastic way, and will my
total apology for being in a cranky mood) we can totally assume that he will
not come back as a person. (Or a phoenix, or anything that is flesh and
bones… or as a ghost, IMO 'cause he seems ready to move on and not pull a
Nearly headless Nick).



I think the analogy we have going on with the Phoenix is, truly, death and
rebirth but I would have to say that if we apply this to the stories which
contain human beings we will see that it is not a literal death and rebirth
but a metaphorical one. It has been said that DD needed to dies so Harry can
move on to his next step and that is: taking his destiny into his own hands
without anyone "protecting" him.



Dumbledore dies and Harry's inner power will "rise from the ashes." That's
the Phoenix metaphor I see happening here. Also, seeing as how most of us
are sure that Harry will defeat Voldemort, Dumbledore is passing on his
knowledge to Harry on how Dark Wizards operate. Dumbledore's knowledge will
be "re-born" in Harry… I'm sure there are more analogies that the Phoenix ca
apply to but I think that the Dumbledore/Harry analogy will be the most
prominent…


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