Sirius and Snape parallels again

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 185002

Alla:
> 
> Small disagreement, I do not think that he emerged from Azkaban well 
> at all, I think he seems to be recovered well enough in GoF, but to 
> me it shows that having people around whom heloves helped him that 
> much. However, sure I agree that he could not take GP at all. 

lizzyben: 

True that. He was in worse shape in POA, but finally being *free* did
wonders for Sirius. Along with, as you say, having people he loves
around. So yeah, after that taste of freedom & purpose, it probably
was all the worse for Sirius to be imprisoned & isolated again. Until
he ultimately found another escape in death.

And that's really the end of the pattern, in all these cases.
DD's imprisonment of a damaged person, followed by a violent death at
the hands of a dark wizard. Ariana, James & Lily, Sirius, Snape, &
Harry all end the same way in that sense. I did a quick check, & found
that Ariana was actually first hidden away in Godric's Hollow, dying
shortly thereafter at the hands of Grindewald. How odd, then, that DD
chooses that same exact village to hide James & Lily, who also die
shortly thereafter at the hands of Voldemort. Since Bathilda Bagshot
was neighbor to both the DD & Potter family, I wonder if it might
actually have been the same exact house. Wouldn't surprise me if it
were. Freud would have a field day!

And it helps explain one thing many people have wondered, which is why
DD sets up this bizarre plan that requires Harry to grow up imprisoned
w/the Dursleys before being killed by Voldemort. The answer may be
that psychologically, that's the only kind of plan Dumbledore can
foresee or create. It's kind of eerie how DD does this, but it seems
to be almost completely unconscious. Consciously, DD no doubt believes
he is doing these things for "the greater good" & the defeat of evil. 

 
> Alla:
> 
> Eh, please do not be shocked, but I think it is a brilliant 
> observation. 

lizzyben:

LOL, thanks.

Alla:
But then I am left with a thought - sure, I can pity 
> somebody like Dumbledore, but I cannot help but think that we are 
> supposed not just pity but admire him and well, I am not sure what is 
> to admire. 

lizzyben:

I pity him as well. In his own way, DD is just as imprisoned &
isolated in his ivory tower as Snape is in his dungeons, or Sirius in
Grimmwald Place. He's haunted by past mistakes, yet keeps repeating
them. He tries to do the right thing, but is ill-equipped to do so.
He's dedicated to the good & driven to defeat evil, yet he doesn't
seem to realize how he creates evil everywhere he goes. He's really
quite a tragic figure.

As for what we're supposed to think, I've given up understanding
Rowling's intentions here. I think to a certain degree, she doesn't
know what she's written, which is pretty typical for authors. Novels
will contain symbolism & parallels that the author did not intend, yet
they still show up. That's what makes literary criticism so
interesting. It doesn't matter so much if we're supposed to admire a
character, if the author has included enough info that we as readers
can make our own determination. I actually admire many of DD's ideals,
however imperfect he may have been in realizing them.

Alla:
Especially since I do not think that we even hear the 
> apology for that thing he was doing to people around him. In fact I 
> am pretty sure we are not.
> 
> Alla

lizzyben:

I never heard an apology either, because DD just does not seem to *get
it*, even at the very end. Even in King's Cross, w/a year to ponder
such things, DD still doesn't seem to realize the effects of his own
actions, but is full of narcissism, self-justifications &
rationalizations, even while confessing his sins. Rather than
apologize, he wants *Harry* to reassure him that he was really a good
guy. 

He's trying hard to confess his mistakes, and learn a lesson from
them, but it's totally not happening. Meanwhile, a damaged child lies
hidden under the seat, and DD studiously ignores it & tells Harry not
to help it. And so DD repeats the pattern even after his death. I read
a fan-fiction once that said that DD can only escape limbo by actually
picking up the damaged child & caring for it. And that seems right, to
me. He's got to learn that lesson, that he must care & protect,
instead of hiding & imprisoning, to actually heal or prevent further
pain to himself or others. But in canon, he never does. 

James, Lily & Sirius are in heaven, (Snape is maybe in a Slytherin
heaven?) But Dumbledore ends the novel stuck in limbo, imprisoned with
a damaged child. For a series w/such a bent for karmic justice, that
seems appropriate somehow. 


lizzyben