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

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 182712

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?


Alla:

Hmmm, I believe that it is simply because he is bound to serve the 
current Headmaster and Snape is one. So I guess my answer is out of 
the sense of duty to Snape.


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?

Alla:

Yes, Harry feels as if he came home, so sure upon reread I could see 
how it points out to something close and beloved, but it now made me 
think. How come does it feel that way, if all it is a Patronus? It is 
not Lily¡¦s soul, it is not even her imprint, like in GoF, it is just 
guardian spirit. I do wonder.

No it did not feel odd to me that Harry did not attempt to identify 
the doe. His instincts tell him that this is not a dark magic, it 
does feel believable to me that Harry would not go any further in his 
inquiry.

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?


Alla:

I do not believe Snape saw anything I think he left very fast when 
sword was recovered, I do not believe that he would want to risk 
being discovered any more than necessary to be sure that sword is 
with Trio.



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?

Alla:

Well, I suppose thematically that it makes sense to finally deal with 
Ron¡¦s insecurities full stop in the chapter where he returns and for 
him to destroy the horcrux for that reason makes sense to me.

I mean story wise he is of course destroying it because he retrieved 
the sword and isn¡¦t cool how Harry just knows that it has to be Ron. 
But I think this chapter symbolizes Ron¡¦s growing up finally. And 
absolutely I am sure locket could have done Harry or anybody¡¦s 
torture as well.


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?.

Alla:

My goodness how did you come up with so many great questions, Debbie? 
LOVE this one too.

Hmmm, I interpreted it as saying that Ron dreams to become a better 
man and it is all possible for him if he puts his heart into it, but 
that he dreads of his insecurities overcoming him and that is also 
possible if he lets them to. Why didn¡¦t locket just get it on, I have 
no idea.

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

Alla:

I believe he was almost possessed or just possessed and managed to 
overcome it just like Harry did in OOP.


8. What, if anything, do you make of the fact that the sword of
Gryffindor was used only to destroy Horcruxes with a significant
Slytherin connection (the locket, the ring and Nagini)?

Alla:

Gryffindor rules? ļ

Seriously though I am not sure if I like symbolism here, so I prefer 
to think there is none.


9. As Harry comforts Ron after the destruction of the locket, he
finally realizes, now that Ron is back, "how much his absence had
cost them." What was the cost? How did Ron's absence affect their
progress? How does his return change things?


Alla:

Honestly, the only thing I can think of is laughter, good mood, etc. 
I was very very disappointed in Ron that he left, I am sure I 
mentioned it before. I was hoping that Ron will turn out to be 
Harry¡¦s most loyal friend if it ever comes to that. I guess I was 
hoping that he already grew up out of the crap he pulled in GoF, but 
I suppose he just finished growing up. I do not see that Ron¡¦s  
absence cost them anything, except grief that they felt when he left.


10. Harry concludes that Ron's return went about as well as
possible, despite Hermione's reaction. Do you agree? Why? What
purpose did that exchange serve?

Alla:

I thought that Harry was right in a sense that Hermione needed to let 
out steam

Thanks Debbie, loved questions.