Deathly Hallows: Central Theme or Distraction?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 173056

--- "chuck.han" <csh at ...> wrote:
>
> ---  "Steve" <bboyminn@> wrote:
> >...
> > I think the Hallows are there because at some point
> > Harry has to make a choice. He must choose between
> > Power and Weakness. He must choose whether to make
> > himself stronger, near undefeatable, or he must 
> > choose to concentrate on making Voldemort weak. 
> >...
> 
> In an earlier response, I noted in passing that I 
> didn't agree with Steve that it was a choice between 
> Power and Weakness.  I wanted to expand on my 
> disagreement because I think the rest of Steve's
> assessment and analysis is super spot on (thanks 
> Steve!):
> 
> Maybe I'm being nitpicky--I agree that the choice 
> Harry makes is to weaken Voldemort, but, IMHO, that's 
> not a choice between Power and Weakness.  Harry 
> chooses the path counter to obvious might (as Steve
> point out), but is that Weakness?  I think it is 
> Harry's Ultimate Strength...
> 
> Chuck Han
>

bboyminn:

Actually, you are right. Notice I never said WHOSE
Power and whose Weakness. Harry can choose to 
strengthen himself in hopes of overpowering Voldemort,
or he can concentrate on weakening Voldemort.

Eschewing the desire and ability to give himself immense
power and strength would be a hard choice for anyone.
And, Harry thinks long and hard on it. Think about when
they are at Shell Cottage, and Harry has to decide 
whether to question Ragnok or Ollivander. That is the 
moment Harry decides. 

He knows via the connection to Voldemort that Voldemort
is heading to Hogwarts to steal Dumbledore's wand. 
There was still time to get their first, there was 
still time to try and stop Voldemort. Ron is furious, 
that Harry hasn't tried to do exactly that.

But Harry has made his choice. Dumbledore wanted them 
to know about the Hallows, but his stated goal was 
always for Harry to attack the Horcruxes, and that is 
what Harry decides to do.

But from Dumbledore's perspective, it must be Harry's 
choice. This whole thing simply would not have worked
if Harry had simply been 'following orders'. Harry had
to know the possibilities, and he had to, of his own
volition, make the noble choice. 

I've always said, and said so in this group many times,
that Revelation is alway preferable to Explanation. The
revelations that come from with in us, are always more
powerful, more true, and more full known than anything 
that is explained to us. The power doesn't come from 
information, it comes from a true and clear understanding 
of that information.

By making his own choice, and a choice between what 
would strongly draw anyone and what would repel 
virtually anyone, Harry made the hard choice. He 
chose the noble path rather than the path of Power.

So says I.

Steve/bboyminn