[HPforGrownups] CHAPDISC: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Ch. 19: The Silver Doe

[Laura Lynn Walsh]

No: HPFGUIDX 182700


On 2008, Apr 28, , at 08:01, Debbie wrote:

> Questions
>
> 1.  Phineas Nigellus learns critical information about Harry's
> location, which Hermione carelessly provides while the beaded bag is
> open.  Has Phineas really been hanging out in that cramped bag all
> this time?  Why is he willing to do this?

Phineas Nigellus is a natural busybody.  I think he was already
portrayed as willing to follow the trio and at this critical time, he
would also be willing to do so for extended times because
Snape, a Slytherin headmaster, tells him to.  As for the cramped
bag, I can't see that it is too much different from a flat picture.

> 2.  What did you think initially of the appearance of the silver
> doe?  Did you perceive clues (either on initial reading or rereading)
> pointing to the identity of the doe?  Was it intended, in your view,
> as misdirection?  Was it effective?  Does it seem odd that Harry did
> not attempt to identify the doe?

The doe was written in the style of good things.  There is no
ominous foreshadowing or prickling neck of evil, so I felt, like
Harry, that it was trustworthy.  I did think about the fact that it
was similar to the stag that Harry conjures.  Do we know what
Ginny's Patronus is - I can't remember?  We find out sometime
that Ginny was attempting to steal the sword.  I am not sure
how Harry would have attempted to identify the doe.  It wasn't
one of the talking Patronuses that can be identified by their
voices, Harry hadn't seen it before, and people don't usually
ask them questions anyway.

> 3.  How long do you think Snape stayed behind the trees to watch?
> Did he leave when the sword was recovered, or might he have seen the
> destruction of the locket?  How might Snape have interpreted this
> action, given that he was unaware of the nature of the Trio's mission?

I think Snape left when the Patronus disappeared.  Perhaps
he already knew that Ron was in the area as well and didn't
want to risk discovery.  He could always get Phineas Nigellus
to check up on him later.

If Snape had actually seen the destruction of the locket, I think
he might have been able to add up all the clues and figure out
what Harry et al. were up to.  After all, he knew about the diary
and the ring.  If he had seen and heard the Locket Voldemort
and had seen its destruction, I think he would have been smart
enough and familiar enough with dark magic to put the rest
together.

> 5.  Why did it have to be Ron who destroyed the Horcrux?  Wouldn't
> Harry have been able to destroy it just as effectively?  If Harry had
> wielded the sword, do you think the locket would have found a way to
> torment him instead?

I don't think it HAD to be Ron who destroyed the locket Horcrux.
I think Harry or Hermione could have physically done it.  I think
Harry saw it as magically fitting that he destroy it - he had saved
Harry and had retrieved the sword - analogous to Harry saving
Ginny and retrieving the sword.  I think Harry instinctively knows
that this will make Ron stronger in the long run.

> 6.  The locket tortures Ron, but it begins with an observation and a
> prophecy of sorts:  "I have seen your dreams, Ronald Weasley, and I
> have seen your fears.  All you desire is possible, but all that you
> dread is also possible."  What does this statement tell us about
> Ron's character?  And why didn't the locket just get on with the
> torturing?

It tells me that Ron is vulnerable to his doubts.  Voldemort is
good at finding people's weaknesses and exploiting them
emotionally.  Ron's weakness is doubt in himself.

Why didn't the locket just get on with torturing?  Ah, but this is
the best form of torture!  Encouraging self-doubt in a person
who is vulnerable to it.

>
> 7.  What is the significance of the scarlet in Ron's eye just before
> he destroys the locket Horcrux?

I think Ron is getting emotionally close to the locket and is,
to some extent, possessed by it.  But like Harry whose willingness
to love expelled Voldemort, Ron expels Voldemort by finding a
power that he has that VM does not - courage to accept himself.

LauraW
-- 
Laura Lynn Walsh    lwalsh at acsalaska.net
http://llwcontemplations.blogspot.com



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