I was kind of upset when he died, but I guess it was okay from a narrative viewpoint. I'm glad we got to see more of Harry's friend Hermione though. She's really smart and I like her a lot.
Thematic of the book could easily be centered around human frailties, when you think about it. And how peoples' strengths can also be their weaknesses.
In Hermione's case - her blind spot is more that she thinks they should think a certain way... she's had ample time to research House Elves for one. She just refuses to admit that they might be content in a situation she can't conceive of as acceptable.
I can kind of understand what she's thinking about though. She's got a good idea, but she's coming up with strange ways to make it work. Maybe she should work on the goblins or the centaurs instead.
To be honest, if I was a wizard I would go hide in the not-magical world. I'm not brave like all those people are.
Haven't played Devil's Advocate in a while, me. Here goes. ;)
Maybe she should work on the goblins or the centaurs instead.
Consider how the centaurs reacted to them being in the Forbidden Forest with Umbridge, however. I'd say what JKR was getting to with this is that you can have all the good intentions you want - they won't necessarily be what another needs or even wants for that matter. The goblins do certainly seem to know what they want and acted upon it if you take the Goblin Wars into consideration, and the fact that they essentially have control over Wizarding economy...
Hermione could be said to be more intent to "change things" because it makes it easier for her to cope, rather than for her to adapt to someone else's ideals and accept them.
I think the scene with the centaurs was a learning lesson for her... part of growing up and learning you can't always have things the way you want them.
To be honest, if I was a wizard I would go hide in the not-magical world. I'm not brave like all those people are.
I'm sincerely hoping the author will show how the Wizarding World tends to underestimate Muggles in one of the last two books. Not holding my breath - but I am hoping...
I'm sincerely hoping the author will show how the Wizarding World tends to underestimate Muggles in one of the last two books.
See, I was actually really happy to see Harry actually identify Aunt Petunia as his mom's sister, and see her know stuff about Voldemort and stuff. Because we really haven't seen Muggles that don't suck in the books--I mean, sure, Hermione's parents, but all we know about them is they're dentists and Mr. Weasley likes them. I don't think Harry's ever talked to them.
She is putting in more ambiguity in people as Harry grows up, so I guess there's still hope she'll turn the Dursleys into actual human beings rather than cartoons. I hope she does.
Shades of grey. Nothing is black and white, and that's what a lot of the book was about. That and things not always being as they originally appeared, and people having to re-evaluate things...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2003-06-27 09:53 am (UTC)Would you be super depressed if I told you that not all deaths are from the movies? Sometimes people just die needlessly, without all the hooplah.
If you need it, I got my Momma to send over some Vanilla tea and I'm sure there could be a spare mug for you.
I know...
Date: 2003-06-27 12:10 pm (UTC)Poor Sirius didn't really get a chance to enjoy being out of prison. It makes sense, I just feel very sad about it.
Vanilla tea would be really good right now. Thank you.
Re: I know...
Date: 2003-06-27 12:22 pm (UTC)Come on down. The kettle's on.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-27 11:58 am (UTC)I hope Neville kicks that Bellatrix lady's butt six ways from Sunday.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-27 09:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-06-27 11:29 pm (UTC)Kinda clueless about the house-elves, though. She ought to listen to Ron more about that.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-28 07:19 am (UTC)I thought that she was shown to be far less "perfect" in this book than the others... which was nice to see, even if it gave me the shivers.
*wry grin*
no subject
Date: 2003-06-28 08:44 am (UTC)And everybody was a lot less perfect this time around.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-28 03:29 pm (UTC)In Hermione's case - her blind spot is more that she thinks they should think a certain way... she's had ample time to research House Elves for one. She just refuses to admit that they might be content in a situation she can't conceive of as acceptable.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-28 06:04 pm (UTC)To be honest, if I was a wizard I would go hide in the not-magical world. I'm not brave like all those people are.
Re:
Date: 2003-06-28 06:22 pm (UTC)Maybe she should work on the goblins or the centaurs instead.
Consider how the centaurs reacted to them being in the Forbidden Forest with Umbridge, however. I'd say what JKR was getting to with this is that you can have all the good intentions you want - they won't necessarily be what another needs or even wants for that matter. The goblins do certainly seem to know what they want and acted upon it if you take the Goblin Wars into consideration, and the fact that they essentially have control over Wizarding economy...
Hermione could be said to be more intent to "change things" because it makes it easier for her to cope, rather than for her to adapt to someone else's ideals and accept them.
I think the scene with the centaurs was a learning lesson for her... part of growing up and learning you can't always have things the way you want them.
To be honest, if I was a wizard I would go hide in the not-magical world. I'm not brave like all those people are.
I'm sincerely hoping the author will show how the Wizarding World tends to underestimate Muggles in one of the last two books. Not holding my breath - but I am hoping...
no subject
Date: 2003-06-28 09:37 pm (UTC)See, I was actually really happy to see Harry actually identify Aunt Petunia as his mom's sister, and see her know stuff about Voldemort and stuff. Because we really haven't seen Muggles that don't suck in the books--I mean, sure, Hermione's parents, but all we know about them is they're dentists and Mr. Weasley likes them. I don't think Harry's ever talked to them.
She is putting in more ambiguity in people as Harry grows up, so I guess there's still hope she'll turn the Dursleys into actual human beings rather than cartoons. I hope she does.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-29 04:12 pm (UTC)Shades of grey. Nothing is black and white, and that's what a lot of the book was about. That and things not always being as they originally appeared, and people having to re-evaluate things...