CHAPDISC: DH35, KING'S CROSS

[happyjoeysmiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 185116

>4. The theme of the hero given a choice whether to rest or to go
back and possibly be hurt more or prevail over the enemy is fairly
common in the fantasy genre. When Harry makes his decision to go back
did you feel at any time that he is going back to die for real now?
Explain why or why not.

I didn't think Harry is going back to die for real. This chapter 
gave me hope that Harry will now go on to live. I thought "So, my 
friend didn't lie to me about the happy-ending part after all." :-)

>5. "Of house elves and children's tales, of love, loyalty and
innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing. That
they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond the reach of any
magic, is a truth he had never grasped". I think that this quote
pretty much sums up one of the major themes in the series. Do you
agree or disagree? Explain why or why not.

One of the major themes in the series, definitely yes. As to why I 
think so, well, okay:

* House elves: Kreacher beat Voldemort with respect to the magic 
Voldemort had performed in the cave where hid the locket Horcrux. 
Dobby helped Harry and co escape from Malfoy Manor right under 
Bellatrix's nose.

* Children's tales: Voldemort didn't even *know* about Hallows and 
anyway he was wrongly attracted to the worst Hallow of the lot 
(against the moral of the tale). He had read so much so as to find 
out where CoS was and how to make Horcruxes but he didn't learn from 
a seemingly simple tale with a simple (yet powerful) moral.

* Love: Lily's love for Harry protected Harry. Something Voldemort 
didn't even care to think about and he finally conceded so much so 
that he got a bit of that protection for himself (in GoF)!

* Loyalty: Harry's loyalty to those who were fighting for him and 
vice-versa finally protected them all from Voldemort's spells. 

* Innocence: I remember Voldemort going for unicorn's blood now; one 
who kills a unicorn would reap the consequences *because* a unicorn 
is pure and harmless (innocent in other words). Voldemort chose to 
ignore this warning yet again.

All these were powers beyond the reach of Voldemort's
magic – they brought about his downfall in one way or another. JKR 
made it this way to tally with the theme that every being possesses 
unique strengths and is worthy of respect and that one should treat 
every another being with respect and love, IMO. 

>6. List discussed the injured baby under the table extensively in 
the past, but if you want to please discuss some more here.

I remember feeling very uncomfortable and slightly pained by the 
cries it gave out while I read the chapter for the first time. As 
for now, taking a leaf out of Lavender Brown's book when she first 
encounters Blast-ended Skrewts, I would just say "Eurgh," I suppose. 
LOL. :-)

Cheers,
~Joey, who thanks Alla for the nice summary and questions