CHAPDISC: DH36, THE FLAW IN THE PLAN

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 185224

> SSSusan:
> <SNIPS great summary>
> QUESTIONS
>13. What do you think Harry thought the odds were that Riddle would
actually be able to find some remorse? Did he believe it was
possible? Was he doubting DD's statement that nothing could be done
to help the Voldy-Baby-Thing? Was he offering this up to be able to
know that he'd done all he could?

Alla:

Actually I am still not sure and when I think about it I am going 
back and forth. I mean I will probably settle on your suggestion that 
he was offering it up to be able to tell himself that he did all he 
could. However, I do not think that him offering it means that he was 
doubting DD statement necessarily, because he is offering it not to 
Voldy baby, but to Voldemort who is still here on earth, and arguably 
still can do something with his soul. Grindelwald did after all.


15. Tom Riddle falls "with a mundane finality." Such a fascinating
phrase. Was there anything mundane at all about this? Does JKR
imply that death strikes us all, no matter who are what? Why use
such a phrase?

Alla:

I think it is a very deliberate phrase, I think it plays into fear of 
the name increases fear of the person thing in a way. What I am 
trying to say is that I believe JKR uses it here together with the 
name Tom Riddle to stress just how ordinary this mass murderer was 
and that his life ended just as ordinarily. 

16. Wow. To answer that earlier rhetorical question of Harry's--No,
Voldy really doesn't learn from his mistakes, does he? :) In all
seriousness, though, *is* this Voldemort's biggest mistake, his
failure to learn? Or was there something else which was his more
fundamental mistake?

Alla:

To be honest with you, I cannot decipher what his biggest mistake was 
because I cannot identify with his mindset whatsoever and to me all 
his behavior just one complete craziness. No seriously to me normal 
people do not want to become immortal leaders of the band of killers 
and torturers and person who wants all that is quite alien to me. So 
I guess my answer will be that to me the way he managed his life is 
one huge mistake.



20. Many left this book rather stunned at revelations about DD, not
altogether happy with the strings he pulled or decisions he made or
actions he took. What do you make of the fact that, for Harry, DD's
pride and — let's face it — DD's approval were a balm equal to
phoenix song?

Alla:

I, well, pity Harry very much in that department. Not that I blame 
him much either. It is not like he had a worthier father figure whose 
approval would have mattered to him more.

I cannot help but think about prince Zuko from Avatar show once again 
and his mentor, whose approval in my opinion was something worth 
wanting.

21. Would you have kept any of the Deathly Hallows? If so, which
one(s) and why? If not, which would at least have tempted you? Are
there any to whose power you think you'd have been totally immune?

Alla:

Have no idea which one I would have kept (hopefully none), but I 
totally would have been tempted by resurrection stone – too many 
loved ones lost too early. I know I would not have cared at all about 
elder wand, lol, I do not care about battles. And, well, I still feel 
that I am missing something about appeal of the cloak.

22. As you finished this chapter for the first time, how satisfied
or dissatisfied were you? Did it feel like a resolution befitting
our protagonist and antagonist?

Alla:

I cannot recapture the first feeling, but I reread the chapter now 
and yes, I was satisfied all over again. I thought the end was very 
fitting.

Thank you again Susan for such cool questions!