CHAPDISC: 34, The Forest Again

[Happy Smiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 185006

>1. What did you think as you read Harry's immediate reaction to the 
knowledge that he must die? Did you find his reaction realistic? 
Did this scene change your opinion of Harry in any way?


Yes, I found his reactions realisitc (and sweet) throughout the chapter. My opinion of Harry improved in a *major* way. Second time, though. GoF second task was the first time I formed a significant (positive) impression about him.


>2. How about Dumbledore? Did it make sense to you that Harry did 
not seem to blame Dumbledore? How did you feel about Dumbledore, as 
you read Harry's thoughts?


I could understand both their positions. DD wanted Harry to spend his life (however long it was) happy and peaceful. I think Harry understood that and didn't blame him.


>4. Neville has come up often in this book's chapter discussions. 
Thinking of the Neville in the early books, even up to the third, did 
you think anything about Neville being out recovering bodies? Could 
you have imagined this Neville from what we saw of him in previous 
books?


Neville's courage levels showed gradual and steady improvement right from PS/SS. OoTP climax is definitely a fitting prelude to his character maturity levels in DH, I think.


>5. In his journey to meet Voldemort, Neville is the only living 
person to whom Harry speaks. Why Neville? Do you think Harry could 
have been thinking that Neville was the other "prophecy boy"? Do you 
think Neville knew Harry was going to sacrifice himself in spite of 
Harry's denials?


I think Harry was always subconsciously thinking that Neville was the other "prophecy boy" (it was a startling discovery for him, right?). I think Neville trusted Harry's denials because if he hadn't I think he wouldn't have allowed Harry to move on without further argument.


>6. As Harry watches Ginny with the injured girl who wants to go 
home, he thinks of himself, Voldemort and Snape as the "abandoned 
boys" who all found their only home at Hogwarts. How did you react 
to this thought? Why did Harry think of those three and link them in 
such a way, a common bond between them all?


Very good question - something that struck me too. I think this thought / discovery was there somewhere at the back of his mind right from OoTP-Occlumency-lessons days (only reinforced by Snape's memories he had just visited in the Prince's Tale) and HBP-visit-memories-about-Voldemort-with-DD days. Also, TMR had told him in CoS about things they had in common and Harry had discussed that aspect with DD. So, it was a lingering, subconscious thought for him, I guess.


>7. What did you feel as 17-year-old Harry put the snitch to his mouth and said the words, "I am about to die"?


My heart felt *extremely* heavy. :-(


>8. Were you surprised at the identity of any of the people who came to Harry through the Resurrection Stone? 


>From the intensity of love point of view, only Lupin but not Fred was a bit of a surprise, yes. As such, I thought a person like Harry would want all of them back - Lupin, Tonks and Fred - whether he loves them *dearly* or not. So, I was surprised, yes.


>10. When Harry is saying that he didn't want them to die, why was he mostly addressing Lupin?


Harry has this tendency to easily think "If s/he dies, it's my fault" - so, his feeling of guilt in Lupin's case is higher as he thought he had not surrendered to LV when he was given the option which is why Lupin, et al had to die fighting.


>11. Harry's loved ones have promised to stay with him to the end. 
Why did he drop the Resurrection Stone before entering the clearing 
and meeting Voldemort? Was it accidental, just nerves, or was there 
another reason? Did he not want them there with him when he died?


I think he did not want them there with him when he died. It would have made dying tough for him and I feel he couldn't bear to see their reactions while dying.


>12. Were the final moments of this chapter what you expected? Did 
you think there would be more, more action, more description, more 
dialogue between Harry and Voldemort? 


I think I was way too absorbed while reading this chapter to have expected anything in the first place. I just jogged along with the flow. 


> 13. What was your immediate reaction at the end of this chapter? Did you think, even for a moment, that Harry was really dead?


For a few moments, I was blank. And then, I told myself "Nah. Let me move on and then see." Of course, my friend had sort of hinted earlier that all would be well in the end which is why I bothered to read the series.. :-)


>14. What was your overall reaction to this chapter and all its events?


Great! I felt JKR has imagined and written Harry's situation / feelings *very* well.


>15. Please share any other questions or thoughts that come to mind about this chapter. 


I really wonder if I can add anything at all to this wonderful list! :-)

Cheers,
~Joey 


      

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