ChapDisc - DH 16, Godric's Hollow

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 182141

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214"
<dumbledore11214 at ...> wrote:
>
> > Carol responds:
> > I understand why Harry would think that, but Hermione 
> > clearly understood the allusion to an afterlife. (After 
> > all, they were in a churchyard!)
> > 
> > ...
> <SNIP>
> 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> Well yes of course ..., but my question is whether you would 
> understand the difference had you been not familiar with the 
> complete passage ...
> 
> And of course I know that JKR wanted the allusion to be clear,
> it was pretty clear to me ...
> 
> But for folks who never read the Bible and who never intend 
> to the allusion is lost, isn't it?
> 
> ...
> 
> JMO,
> 
> Alla
>

bboyminn:

I don't think you needed to know that these passages came
from the Bible, or to know the complete passages. I think
the story itself sufficiently established the context for
them. 

In the case of the Dumbledore inscription, something to the
effect that, 'Where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also'. While worded oddly in a modern context, it
is still a clear and universal concept, meaning more 
accurately, 'Where you /heart/ is, there you will find
your treasure'; in love you find the greatest wealth.

In the case of the inscription on Harry's parent's graves,
if there was any possibility of misunderstanding, JKR
clears it up right away with Hermione's comment. Indeed
she had Harry misinterpret, to provide the opportunity 
for Hermione to make it clear. 

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."

Harry jumps in with the likely misinterpretation, and the
interpretation that is likely to occur to the reader, then
Hermione clears up any confusion. So, no need to know or 
understand the Bible, because the book puts that saying into
the desired context.

As a nice after-the-fact point of interest, it is nice to
know these come from the Bible, and to see them in their
context, but that is merely a side note, and not necessary
within the story.

I suspect, even knowing these are Biblical passages, those of
other religions could easily find similar sentiment in their
own ancient texts. 

By drawing on universal themes, JKR has created an essentially
universal book, and the fact that she quoted the Bible is
only incidental.

Or, at least, that's how I see it.

Steve/bboyminn