CHAPDISC: DH32, The Elder Wand

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 184742

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Zara" <zgirnius at ...> wrote:
> <SNIP of the summary>
>1)	What is with ending chapters with the dramatic deaths of
characters, including, of course, descriptions of their eyes? (I
refer the reader to Dobby's sightless orbs staring unseeingly up at
the starry sky *sob*, Fred's eyes that stare without seeing, and
Snape's eyes, from which "something" vanishes as he dies.) Feel free
to comment on similarities and differences between these three
character deaths witnessed by Harry.

Alla:

I think this is a great question and I feel bad giving short answer 
to it, but it just feels so sad for me to comment on Dobby and Fred's 
death, that I don't know, I just cannot get myself in the mood. I 
guess I should say that first and foremost fixing reader's attention 
to the eyes has some connection with the saying "eyes is the mirror 
of the soul", and I guess we are supposed to understand that soul 
went to next great adventure and the eyes are empty now. I would also 
say that to the extent Dobby and Fred's deaths could be connected 
with the final death of innocence for Harry. I mean I know JKR said 
that Hedwig symbolizes that, but I would put those two deaths right 
there too.


2) Speaking of this something, what are we to make of it? These same
eyes have been elsewhere described thusly: "They were cold and empty
and made you think of dark tunnels". (Empty things have *nothing* in
them.)

Alla:

I suspect that is supposed to symbolize that Harry discovered that 
Snape has a soul too IMO.

3) What was your reaction to Snape's death on your first reading of
it? Did the following chapter change your view? Does it affect you
differently on rereading?

Alla:

You asked and it is not like it is a surprise, right? I was extremely 
happy that he died and I also thought that it was a gruesome, but 
very fitting death. No, next chapter did not change anything for me 
in that regard.

6) The Death Eaters brought a giant to the battle, and Grawp fought
him to defend the school. As payoff for Hagrid's back-story, Mme.
Maxime, "Hagrid's Tale", and the Grawp subplot in OotP, was this
sufficient for you? Why or why not?

NO, really really not. I mean, it is not like nobody but Grawp could 
do that IMO. I am just saying that I do not see his part as 
indispensable to the plot even in book 7.

7) The Slytherin hourglass broke as Harry ran down the stairs into
the Entrance Hall, just as the Gryffindor one had in the fighting at
the end of HBP. Did you ascribe any particular meaning to this bit of
trivia on your first read? Do you now?

Alla:

I did not think much of it till you brought it up, no. I guess the 
symbolism here is that Slytherin was at his low point when they left 
or something, but I wonder what about Gryffindor in HBP? Because 
Harry was fighting not knowing all the facts? Not sure.


8) What was your reaction to Hagrid's defense of the giant spiders
and its results?

Alla:

I wanted to slap Hagrid, sorry. I thought people should take priority.

Thank you dear for great questions, will answer more tomorrow.

Alla