[HPforGrownups] Re: The Deathly Hallows: Morality of Mythical Objects

[elfundeb]

No: HPFGUIDX 177409

Prep0strus:
I agree with you about what her moral probably was supposed to be, and
even about your analysis of the characters and how they relate to the
fable characters... except that third brother. You say, 'live your own
life to the fullest, until you have to meet him'. That's nice, but
how does an invisibility cloak represent that? Sure, the third
brother does lead his own life - has kids, and faces death head
high... but what an invisibility cloak represents to me is nothing
like that at all.

Debbie:
As I read the tale, the third brother asked not to be followed by Death so,
as Ron points out, Death cannot sneak up on him.  The third brother does not
desire immortality, only to live his full lifespan before dying.  The third
brother had the wisdom to know when to take off the cloak and greet Death.
Thus, the Cloak protected the third brother only from an unnatural or
violent death.

Prep0strus:
Invisibility represents fear and avoidance. The
third brother lives his entire life hiding from death. And as a
symbolic device, invisibility appears to be much more about fear,
stealth, or shame, rather than courage or acceptance. It feels to me
an odd choice to make, other than that Harry already had one at his
disposal. But if she were planning this from the beginning, I really
don't get it.

Debbie:
Invisibility has many positive connotations as well.  It recalls the
anonymous benefactor of Scripture, in contrast to the one who makes a big
show of his good works.  His sole reward was public awareness of his deed,
whereas the first would be rewarded in heaven.  If you do something for fame
or glory, you will have your full reward right away.  However, if you live
your life justly and honestly, but quietly, you will be able to meet Death
as an equal, without fear.  Harry never felt comfortable with his fame, and
the Invisibility Cloak allowed him to accomplish much good he could not have
achieved in public.

Dumbledore's note, which arrived with the Cloak in PS/SS, admonished Harry
to "use it well."   On the whole, Harry did used the Cloak well.  He did not
use it to commit crimes, or hide in fear or shame.   When he did use the
Invisibility Cloak for foolish pleasure (as in the PoA Hogsmeade trip), he
was properly called on the carpet for it.  The Cloak served its purpose, as
Harry was able to keep Death from stealing him away while his mission
remained unfinished.  However, just as in the tale, when he was ready for
Death, "he pulled off the Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it beneath his
robes, with his wand."

Prep0strus:
But the first brother doesn’t try to defeat death. There is no use
for the second gift â€" it simply doesn’t work properly. And the third
brother DOES try to defeat death with it â€" and he does.

Debbie:
The first brother intends to use the power of the wand to prevent his own
defeat in battle.  As a combative man, that sounded like insurance against a
violent death.  The stone worked well to achieve the second brother's stated
objective to humiliate Death further by taking and keeping what belonged to
Death.  He didn't ask to be happy.

Harry used each Hallow justly, and each worked properly for him.  The wand
gave him power to defeat Voldemort in a duel, the stone brought the dead to
give him courage, and he used the Cloak to prevent Death from sneaking up on
him before he was ready to face Voldemort.  Now that Voldemort has been
defeated, and Harry has faced down his own desire for the dead, he keeps
only the Cloak, which allows him to escape to normalcy and live a full life
until he dies of natural causes.

Debbie
who would choose the Cloak over the wand or the stone


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