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

[irenematt02176]

No: HPFGUIDX 182727

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Debbie" <elfundeb at ...> wrote:
>

> 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?

Irene:
When Harry came to, one of the first things he did was run to the
trees to see who, if anyone, was behind them after Ron told him that
he'd seen movement there. If Snape was still there he would have had
to disapperate before Harry saw him. I think he stayed until he saw
that both Ron and Harry were out of the lake and the sword was
recovered. I also think that Ron saw movement behind the trees
because Snape was about to run to Harry's rescue when he heard Ron
coming. So, he did not see the destruction of the locket, but if he
did see it he would have also heard the locket taunt Ron in Voldy's
voice and I think he would have known immediately what was going on.


> 4.  The sword at the bottom of the lake is reminiscent of Arthurian
> legend.  JKR is known for borrowing the stuff of legends and
> reworking those legends for her own purposes.  Is that what
happened
> here?  Is Harry at all comparable to King Arthur?  If so, how?  And
> what about Ron's Arthurian connections, since it was Ron who
> succeeded in retrieving the sword of Gryffindor?

Irene:
Finding, retrieving and/or being given a sword (or the signficant
weapon)is a very important part of the hero's journey in the legends
and mythologies of many cultures. It often signifies that the
recipient is worthy and is now ready to face the most difficult and
dangerous challenges - Harry in the COS - Ron with the locket -
Neville with the snake.

Thanks Debbie - great questions.

Irene