[HPforGrownups] Re: Deathly Hallows: Central Theme or Distraction?

[Lee Kaiwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 172792

Steve blessed us with this gem On 26/07/2007 02:57:

> I think the Hallows are there because at some point
> Harry has to make a choice. He must choose between
> Power and Weakness.

Perhaps. Unfortunately, the Deathly Hallows storyline is weakly written 
and weakly integrated, to the point where their purposes in advancing 
the story is murky at best. What purpose is served to send Harry on a 
Horcrux quest, only to suddenly distract him with the Deathly Hallows? 
Seems unnecessarily cruel of Dumbledore.

In any case, Harry didn't really choose between Horcrux and Hallow until 
after it became clear Voldemort would beat him to the wand. So 
ultimately, Harry didn't volitionally choose weakness over power; the 
choice was thrust upon him, diluting the moral victory of the choice.

And in the result, we're forced to wade through several chapters of 
non-action while Harry vacillates between Horcrux and Hallow, which just 
served to drag the story down.

If JKR had some point to make about the choice being essential to 
Harry's ultimate triumph, I'm afraid she muddled it badly.

> So, at some point, Dumbledore knew Harry would have
> to make a choice between Hallow or Horcruxes, and that
> choice would determine whether he was more interested
> in himself, or whether he was more interested in
> Voldemort's defeat.

OK, fine. But why keep the Hallows a secret, only to blindside Harry 
with them later? After all, Dumbledore told him all about the Horcruxes. 
Why not inform Harry of both options, then stand back and let him make 
his decision. In the event, a lot of time was wasted while Harry was 
making up his mind, time in which good people were dying.

> This story is about Choices; choosing what is difficult
> but necessary over what is easy.

True, and it's a point JKR has made before. You may be right, but I 
think JKR loses points for confusing the point so badly.

CJE Culver, Taiwan