CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: DH7 - The Will of Albus Dumbledore

[liliput99ar]

No: HPFGUIDX 179034

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kathryn Jones" <kjones at ...>
wrote:

> CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: DH7 - The Will of Albus Dumbledore
> I feel that I must warn you that the length, and tediousness of
> this chapter is only exceeded by those describing the camping
> trip. A great deal happens in this chapter, but the author
> describes it in such a way as to hide the importance of any
> new happenings. Only seven other chapters are as long as or
> longer than this one.

"""" Nora:
Thank you Kathryn for the good summary, I found it very complete
and nice with the references to the questions. I would like to
mention that I did not found the chapter so long, I liked it very
much and found it quite moving.


> Questions:

> 1. Why does Voldemort seem relatively reasonable in this
> viewing? Is this a way for the author to tell us that Harry
> and Voldemort are becoming more indistinguishable from each
> other? We have often seen Harry unable to think of anything
> else other than his obsession of the moment.

"""" Nora: It looks more like the dreams in OoTP for me,
where Harry use to see or sense Voldemort desires without
him (Voldemort) knowing it.

> 2. Have we heard the name of  Gregorovitch before in previous
> books?

""""" Nora: in fact we did, but I did not remembered it when I
first read this chapter, and you? when Harry realized it, yes I
did remember without need of going to check in GoF. I thought it
was brilliant, and I loved Krum in that part at the wedding.

> Is this another way to add confusion to the separation /
> connection between the minds and memories of Harry and
> Voldemort? Are the details of the name, the place abroad,
> and the Quidditch connection enough of a hint to let us
> know who Voldemort is looking for?

"""" Nora: the details you mention could be enough for some
readers to remember who Gregorovitch was.

> 3. We see Harry hit himself in the eye with his glasses and
> tie his shoelaces in a knot. Ron suggests that he continues
> to do up his fly by hand. We have seen Harry perform other
> minor or unsuccessful spells. Is this repetition of ineptitude
> a way for the author to increase our concern for Harry. Is
> this a way for the author to encourage less talented readers
> that they can be heroes?

"""" Nora: maybe. But I was not concerned about Harry. Look at
Tonks, an Auror, and so clumsy. I think it has nothing (or not
so much) to do with magical skills.

> 4. There appears to be no sensation in either the placing or
> removal of the Trace. If the Ministry of Magic, for any reason,
> can apply a trace, what does this say about privacy issues in
> the Wizarding World? Considering the fact that Harry performed
> under-aged magic on several occasions, inadvertently, without
> causing any repercussion from the MOM, does this plot point
> make consistent sense?

"""" Nora: Well, about the MoM spying on citizens that makes
sense, and using the Trace for this could done as speculation.

Regarding Harry and underage magic, I do not remember any case
after his being aware of being a wizard. We have been told that
muggleborns (and mugge-raised) are excused from this rule, as
they do not know what happens. Remember Lily and her "loads of
magic"

> 5. This seems odd to me, as Harry has split with Ginny for her
> protection. Why would Ron encourage Harry to seek other female
> company when he knows how upset Ginny is and how Harry feels
> about Ginny? Does Ron actually understand that Harry is not
> likely to survive?

"""" Nora: it can also be that Ron is Ronish as usual, specially
now that Harry and Ginny have cut up. Did he encourage Harry to
see other girls? I don't remember this (I will check my book).
If so, he is soooo... mmmhhh

> 6. We have seen Dumbledore's watch, Ron's watch, Molly's clock,
> and now Fabian's watch. We have also seen time-turners. What is
> the fascination with time?

"""" Nora: Yes, there is a lot of watches and references to time.
In this case, I think it is a tradition, sort of close to real
world, to make an special and traditional gift for some special
birthday. It was nice.

> 7. We have seen Hermione as the boys' conscience, their
> researcher, their tutor. Why are we seeing this "Suzie
> homemaker" side of Hermione? Is this in character? Is
> JKR correct in assuming that all young girls want to impress
> their boyfriends with their homemaking abilities?

"""" Nora: I thought it was one of Molly's tasks

> 8. Have we seen Hermione obey Ron like this before? Why does
> JKR make Ron look like an idiot most of the time and then
> demonstrate this masterful side?

"""" Nora: I think she is not obeying Ron, but she is trying to
make the boys not to hurt each other, or to prevent Ron hurting
Harry

> 9. How does the pouch know that ownership was transferred?

""" Nora: by magic? must be an spell

> 10. Is this patronus appropriate for Arthur Weasley from what
> we know about his character? Is it a foregone conclusion that
> some Weasley will have a weasel for a patronus? Wouldn't Percy
> make a better weasel?

"""" Nora: this I don't know... but I liked the weasel patronus
for Arthur. Is there other patronus that we know, related to a
family name?

> 11. Does Lupin explain later? Why are they afraid for
Scrimgeour to see them?

"""" Nora: Yes, Lupin later explains that the MoM is being quite
anti werewolf and they will not favored Harry with their presence
at the party.

> 12. Does Scrimgeour see Ron as the weak link?  Do we see Ron
> as the weak link? Ron was portrayed as equally skilled in the
> first book and was more knowledgeable about Wizarding things
> than Harry or Hermione. Has this change in position added to
> the books?

"""" Nora: maybe Scrimgeour has been making some research and has
been told that Ron was not so close to DD.

Regarding Ron's skills, I think he is portrayed as less skilled
since book one, even if naturally he is more knowledgeable than
the other two about wizarding things.

> 13. Does this seem more like our Hermione? Which Hermione do
> we like better? Is there consistency with this character?

"""" Nora: Yes it is consistent with the Hermione that is
critical of the MoM and its methods. And I like this Hermione.

> 14. Many of the laws in the Wizarding World seem intrusive.
> Is this to maintain some kind of control over magical and
> powerful citizenry, or is it misuse of power by magical
> legislators? Hermione shows that the laws in the Wizarding
> World have the expected checks and balances, but do we see
> them used?

""" Nora: need more analysis from my part to answer. Good
question.

> 15. Didn't we all think that Hermione's knowledge of Quidditch
> was negligible? Is she studying Quidditch to become more the
> kind of person most suited to Ron?

"""" Nora: but it is the sort of thing that Hermione would
know, isn't it? It is perhaps from Quidditch through the ages
(or something like that) - the book Hermione once gave Harry
for birthday or Christmas present.

> 16. Is there any mention about the flesh memory in any prior
> books or was this just tossed in as a belated plot point? Was
> Wood wearing gloves when he first taught the rules to Harry?

"""" Nora: it is the first time we hear it, that I recall. OTOH
Wood used golf balls to teach Harry the rules

> 17. Does anyone feel that the antagonism between Scrimgeour
> and Harry is too contrived? Is it necessary to the plot?

""""" Nora: I think it is interesting, I do not know if it is
necessary, it is the way it is. I mean, it has consequences,
but could as well be the same if there has been indiference
instead of antagonism. In my opinion.

> 18. Could anyone please explain to me why a flesh memory in a
> snitch would be likely to tell the difference between flesh
> and lips?

"""" Nora: it has to be very intelligent (?) I imagine it was
the mouth - maybe the snitch can make the difference between
skin and mucosa.

> Extra questions:

> 19. What is the most important "happening" in this chapter:
> Voldemort's search for Gregorovitch, Harry's birthday, the
> loss of the trace, the flight of the Lupins, the bequests
> from Dumbledore or the antagonism of the Minister?

"""" Nora: For me, the bequests from Dumbledore and the private
moment of Harry with Ginny. The search of Gregorovitch is also
important.

> 20. What parts of this chapter would you have left out as
> unnecessary to either plot or characterization?

"""" Nora: Harry's birthday party, maybe. It was nice, but
the affection of Weasleys and friends was already shown at
breakfast.

Regards,
Nora (A.)