DH reread CH 20

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 186715

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at ...> wrote:
>
> "Sorry," said Ron wrenching Harry back out of the brambles, 
> "but the name's been jinxed, Harry, that's how they track
> people!..." ... - p.316
> 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> You know, upon reread I am actually scratching my head about 
> it, but let's see if I can explain coherently why.
> 
> I mean, isn't it sort of a symbolic moment when Dumbledore 
> tells Harry to say Voldemort ...
> 
> So I am wondering isn't this moment sort of negates that 
> earlier symbolism?
> 
> The reason I feel that way is because now anybody who is going
> to say the name will basically be sort of suicidal, no? ...now
> the symbolic standing up to the tyrant is sort of not possible,
> unless you are an idiot?
> 
> ...
> 

bboyminn:

There is a difference between being brave and being foolhardy.
Harry doesn't fear Voldemort's name, he has no problem with 
saying it, and even does so later at a most inopportune 
moment. Thereby calling the Snatchers down on them. 

But, he does so accidentally. It would be foolhardy and stupid
in the extreme to use the name knowing that it bring a certain
and very real doom upon you. 

Harry doesn't fear the name, not at all, but he reasonably
fears the very real consequences of speaking the name at 
that time and place.


> Alla continues:
> 
> "That's go to be Luna's house, who else would live in the 
> place like that? It looks like a giant rook!"
>
> "It is nothing like a bird," said Hermione, frowning at the
> tower.
>
> "I was talking about chess rook," said Ron. "A castle to you."
>  - p.323
> 
> Alla:
> 
> So I guess this is the only reminder we get that Ron actually
> knows chess, huh. 
> 

bboyminn:

I think this was one of those little cute side comments intended
to bring both humor and understanding. It is nice to see Ron
correcting Hermione for a change, and it is nice that JKR
clarifies what the house looks like without making it too 
obvious. 

Having dabbled in chess when I was younger, I saw the imagry
in the description of the house before either Ron or Hermione
mentioned, but Ron having mentioned it, solidified the vision
in my mind. A very quick, concise, and compact way to bring to
the minds of the readers a mental vision of the house. The 
most explanation with the few number of words. That's one of
the things I like about JKR. 

> Alla continues:
> 
> "Barely ten seconds passed, the the door was flung open and 
> there stood Xenophilius LOvegood, barefooted and wearing what
> appeared to be a stained nightshirt. His long, white, 
> candyfloss hair was dirty and unkempt. Xenophilius had been
> positively dapper at Bill and Fleur"s wedding by comparison" 
> - p.323
> 
> Alla:
> 
> So narrator is already sort of clued in that something is wrong.
> Why are they still here?
> 
> "Harry had the impression that he was undergoing some painful internal struggle" - p.324
> 
> Alla:
> 
> And they are still here.
>

bboyminn:

Yes, something is wrong, but at that time in history, everything
is always wrong. Why would this be any different? By that I
mean, people are being killed and disappearing left, right, and
center. Lovegood had been encouraging people to support Harry, 
so he was not really high on the Death Eaters popularity list
at the moment. Then Harry Potter and the gang show up at his
door, supporter or not, that is certainly cause to worry.

Now JKR is laying other clues as the scene unfolds, and gradually
Harry starts to realize, not that Lovegood is flustered, but 
WHY he is flustered. Lovegoods disheveled appearance is only
the first of may clues that JKR lays for Harry, and for us the
readers.

Now we the reader, can see all this clearly in hindsight, but
in the moment, while I'm sure Harry is certainly puzzled, he
doesn't have enough information to put it all together and reach 
the correct conclusion. A conclusion that he does eventually
reach, though a little too late. 

Just finished reading "Deathly Hallows" again, and am now about
80% through "Half-Blood Prince". They still hold together as
fantastic stories, even after all this time and many readings. 

Steve/bboyminn