CHAPDISC: DH, EPILOGUE

[hp_fan_2008]

No: HPFGUIDX 185369

> 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?

HP FAN 2008:

I think that this is a question of everyone wanting to know everything
- and satisfying that would be impossible. In stead, she gave some
indication of where the major characters (including Draco!) would be
19 years later - and gradually release more information in interviews. 

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

I don't think that this is a problem - that's the world we live in.

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

Who says there's no difference between the houses? 

> 6. What is JKR suggesting by naming Draco's son Scorpius?

It seems like the whole Draco part is there to indicate that he is
still following his mother's family traditions - pure-blood marriages, 
naming one's offspring after constellations, etc. 
 
> 7. How do you think Harry feels about Teddy Lupin?  Does he see
> himself in Remus and Tonks's son?

I think that Harry does see himself in Teddy - quite clearly. The two
of them are the only offspring of the Marauders, both orphans raised
by more distant family.

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

I think that what Harry finally saw in Snape is someone who basically
gave his life for someone he hated.  

> 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?

Harry had some Slytherin qualities (as mentioned in CS), and some of
these seem to stem from James. His becoming an animagus together with
Sirius and Wormtail would definitely seem to qualify as him using any
means to achieve his ends. 
 
> 10. What would Harry see if he looked once more into the Mirror of
> Erised?

I think he would probably see himself with his parents, Lupin, Sirius
and Dumbledore, together with his close friends.