CHAPDISC: 34, The Forest Again

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 185012

> Sherry Discussion Questions
> 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?

Jen: I thought it was completely realistic, very Harry that he didn't 
bargain or try to think of an alternative or spend time blaming.  
Harry can be angry & blame others - lash out - but when facing life 
and death moments, especially involving other people, he does what 
must be done quickly.  

Also, Harry seemed more like his younger self in those last moments 
before he descended to the forest:  more vulnerable, more alone and 
less angry.  I liked the poetic touch of Harry counting his 
heartbeats, too. 

> 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?

Jen: The moment was too big for more than passing thoughts about DD 
imo.  Dumbledore was tied to Harry's destiny so his Plan was sure to 
pass through Harry's mind, but I wasn't surprised Harry didn't linger 
on him. Plus, I was certain there would be more about DD because 
there were loose ends to his story. 

> 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?

Jen: As others said, it was an acknowledgement of Neville and his 
growing importance in the defeat of LV.  It was also foreshadowing 
for Neville's big moment.  I don't think Neville knew Harry's real 
plan for the same reason Joey wrote - Neville would've attempted to 
stop Harry.

> 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?

Jen: This was an extraordinary moment for Harry.  Forgiving Snape 
enough to identify with him so completely?  Understanding the 
murderer of his parents was once the more vulnerable Tom Riddle?  It 
proved to me Harry had grown capable of being 'the better man' once 
he knew the truth.  It follows that he would forgive Dumbledore, too.

> 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"?

Jen: I cried, just like Alla and Carol.:) JKR wrote a beautiful scene 
here, an ending to the puzzle Harry faced at the beginning of the 
story when he had no clue how to open the Snitch.  The truth truly 
did set him free once he knew Dumbledore's story, Snape's story and 
the soul piece connecting him to Voldemort.  

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

Jen: Lupin a little bit.  It made logical sense Lupin would be with 
the others, but I still felt surprised because Harry didn't express 
longing for Lupin the way he felt for the others. 

> 9.  Did you find the interaction between Harry and his loved ones 
> typical, particularly of interactions between himself and Sirius 
> and Lupin?  Did you feel Sirius and Lupin acted in character in
> this scene?  What about James and Lily?  Did they say or do 
> anything that surprised you, given the little but important things
> we knew of them previously?

Jen: I don't remember initial impressions.  Reading the passage now 
it's a sweet moment and nothing in particular surprises me. The 
shadow figures seem only to know what Harry has to do rather than 
having the ability to stop him or strategize another option imo.  
They are there for support only, not to analyze the situation.  So 
Harry has what he needs most in the moment with his decision already 
made. 

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

Jen: I guess because of Teddy and feeling guilty.

> 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?

Jen: Initially I thought Harry didn't want LV to find the 
Invisibility Cloak or Stone, thus joining the Hallows.  Now I'm not 
sure. I like Alla's answer about Harry trying to protect those he 
loves even when dead. That fits him.


> 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?  

Jen: I was glad LV finally cast the AK instead of talking like he 
usually does & dragging it out!  I was pretty certain Harry wasn't 
going to die. Chosen One and all that. ;)

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

Jen: Well-written & poignant.  A perfect ending to the connection 
between Harry and Voldemort. 

Thanks Sherry, your summary and questions were great. :) It's nice to 
revisit this chapter months later.