Resolutions/ Draco

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 183510

> a_svirn:
> I think it would, from Rowling's point of view. In the old the role-
> of-personality-in-history she would be in the extreme hero-
> worshipers camp. Social determinist she is not. Harry is not just 
> the sun around which everything revolves; the trouble is that there 
> isn't even anything to revolve. As agents of history the ordinary
> people of the WW simply do not exist. <snip> 
> So they were reduced to keeping faith and trying to keep their 
> families safe. <snip> 
> All of which does have an effect of making Harry seem superhuman,
> or, as Voldemort would say, "much more than a man" in consequently 
> somewhat lacking in ordinary humanity. 

Jen: Your line of thinking reminded me of another option, one readers 
who've said the story is more Christian allegory than anything else 
have proposed:  That the sun is really the Son, whose polyjuice 
potion turns 'bright, clear gold' and who is accused of '[wearing] 
that scar like a crown.' (DH, p. 130)  Harry, the only one with the 
power to vanquish the Dark Lord, would be intended as somewhat more 
than a man then.  JKR definitely scattered more Christian symbolism 
in DH than prior books.  And if this is the authorial intent, then my 
next thought is she never needed more than a handful of secondary 
characters to begin with.  

Montavilla:
> Another good reading.  But, although I like the term "sacrifice," I
> don't see why it's necesssary to tear down one character to build 
> up another.  But, then, it's all of a piece with the shuffling off
> and on-stage of the supporting characters.

Jen: I agree it isn't necesary at all, a well-written character 
wouldn't overshadow the hero since presumably each character has a 
purpose to fulfill in a way only he/she can.  You pointed out Neville 
as an example of this, one who changed and grew across the seven 
books without requiring the Trio (much) to make that happen. He 
doesn't take Harry's place nor does he have to shrink into 
insignificance beside him (very often, lol). 

Montavilla:
> Draco isn't good enough to talk to or shake hands with, but it's 
> all right if he wants to nod at you from a distance.  And he's 
> balding, so there's a bit of Karmic justice still going on and wake-
> up call for the fangirls who like his blonde hair.

Jen: Hehe, I know this might not be funny to Draco fans but this & 
your passage on Draco's droopy wand both made me laugh out loud.  I 
wouldn't put it past JKR when it comes to what she finds humorous.  

Montavilla:
> And there were moments given to the Harry generation.  Luna,
> Seamus, and Ernie even get to rescue the Trio from the Dementors.
> That's considerably more than they got to do the rest of the year.
> (Except Luna and her mighty nail!)

Jen:  Gosh, I forgot Luna!  She's a character I'd put in with Neville 
as one growing quietly behind the scenes.  She managed to know more 
than the Trio at times and, along with Neville, exhibited a 
compassionate heart for others.  

(Thanks for the kind words, Montavilla, it's a pleasure to read your 
posts for the original observations & turns of phrases you come up 
with. <g>)

> Montavilla:
> We could read that epilogue as Harry's generation slowly healing the
> rifts--with the rifts still being there. Slytherin is still bad,
> but not *so* bad that you would disown your son if he were sorted
> into it--although, maybe Ron over there would.

Magpie:
> Not that Harry would have to face that particular question. Little 
> AS is coming to him because he's already so not Slytherin he's 
> worried about being Sorted into Slytherin (and Ron and Hermione's
> kids are probably just as anti-Slytherin). So not only would he not
> be Sorted there anyway, he's got the backup of knowing to be doubly
> sure by saying "Don't put me in Slytherin" to the hat. I think the
> main reason for that exchange is that it gives teh author a chance
> to clear up that even though Harry and Snape never actually 
> resolved their own differences, that chapter where we found out he
> was in love with Harry's mother and was a good guy all along means
> that we should respect him as incredibly brave.

Jen: The fact that little James taunts Albus Severus indicates to me 
that there's still intra-house rivalry at best and prejudice against 
the house at worst going on at Hogwarts.  Albus Severus won't be 
sorted there imo, since he doesn't value the house and is scared of 
it.  I don't think Harry saddled his son with the names of two OK'ish 
men from the Voldemort Wars though (as I imagine they're called in 
History of Magic) but two heroes, whose names were apparently both 
cleared when all was said and done.  So there IS a Slytherin hero in 
Albus Severus' world instead of the Slytherin villain Harry 
encountered. 

(BTW, I know Harry only calls DD and SS 'headmasters' when talking to 
AS, but after the scene in the Hogwarts dining room when Harry shouts 
the exploits of both Dumbledore & Snape to all assembled, it's hard 
to believe their lasting legacy was as *headmasters*.)