CHAPDISC: DH, EPILOGUE

[jkoney65]

No: HPFGUIDX 185361

 
> Questions:
> 
> 1.  Authors sometimes conclude novels with a chapter telling readers
> what happened to the characters after the action of the book
> concludes (see, for instance, Middlemarch and David Copperfield).
> JKR chose not to do that, instead using post-publication interviews
> to let us know the stories of the people in canon.  In writing the
> epilogue, then, she must have had something specific she wanted to
> achieve or communicate.  What do you think that was?

jkoney:
I think she wanted to let us know that Harry got his dream of a 
family and that he is doing well. I also think she wanted to settle 
the "great shipping debate." Harry is with Ginny and Ron is with 
Hermione. They didn't all of sudden change their feelings.


> 
> 2. One of the complaints about the epilogue is that it is
> heteronormative.  Is that a fair critique?

jkoney:
Actually I think it's rather stupid. In the entire series there was 
nothing to show us that these people were anything else that what 
they appeared. The announcement that DD was gay after the book had 
been out seemed like she was pandering to a particular audience. 


> 
> 3. James and Albus have very low opinions of Slytherin House, 
despite
> their parents' attempt to teach them otherwise.  They are firmly
> attached to Gryffindor.  What, then, do you think has changed in the
> relations among houses and the reputations of the various houses in
> nineteen years?

jkoney:
I doubt that much has changed other than it may have mellowed a bit. 
Everyone is always going to think their house, school or team is the 
best and that the others are inferior. It's just a part of life.


> 
> 4. If there is no difference (at least officially) among houses, why
> is there still a Sorting Hat?

jkoney:
Because people are different. I'm sure it still puts the smartest 
people who love to study in Ravenclaw. That way they are with others 
who are similar to them. It does make it easier to make friends if 
you are around others that have similar beliefs.


> 7. How do you think Harry feels about Teddy Lupin?  Does he see
> himself in Remus and Tonks's son?
>

jkoney:
I think he loves Teddy as much as if he is his own child. I think 
Harry or others would be able to see Harry's influence in Teddy.


 
> 8. Do you agree with Harry's opinion of Snape?

jkoney:
I think that Harry had done enough for Snape's memory when he 
defended him while he was fighting Voldemort. Making sure he got a 
proper burial would also be included. As for naming his child after 
him, I think I've already mentioned at some point that I find that 
the most unbelievable thing in the entire series.


> 
> 9. In SS, the Sorting Hat considers putting Harry in Slytherin
> because, among his other traits, Harry has "a nice thirst to prove
> yourself" (SS 121).  We know that when Voldemort attempted to curse
> Harry, he inadvertently created a connection between Harry and
> himself.  Do you think that any of Harry's personality or behavior
> was influenced by this bit of Voldemort?  If so, would Harry have
> changed after the piece of Voldemort's soul was gone from his own
> soul?

jkoney:
I think the thirst to prove himself came from living with the 
Dursley's and from his unique position in th wizarding world. I think 
the only evidence of Voldemort influencing him was during 5th year 
when his temper was constantly showing. Then again he was also a teen 
who felt the world was against him.

> 
> 10. What would Harry see if he looked once more into the Mirror of
> Erised?

jkoney
I think he would see all of his living and deceased family, including 
Sirius, Remus and Tonks.


Thanks for the review and the questions.