UC HP Fall 2016 Hufflepuff

     J.K. Rowling twisted the norms that the hero or heroine always persists in the final struggle and those closest to that character survive. Although Harry Potter defeats Lord Voldemort in the end, it is unsure whether he will actually be able to do so. In the final book of the series, Harry is faced with a choice: to give himself up to Voldemort or let others continue to sacrifice themselves for his cause. Given Harry’s kind character, he chooses to die so that the others may live. For me, this was a plot twist and not the typical way a fantasyseries would end. Normally, the hero would find a way to fight the opposition while the other characters are kept out of harm’s way. I appreciated this turn in events because it is out of the ordinary and not something a reader would expect, which makes the novel more interesting. While reading this part of the novel, I expected Ron and Hermione to finish Voldemort and to become the new hero and heroine and Harry’s character to be viewed as a martyr. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Harry was still alive, another interesting turn in a series of events.

I have mixed feelings about how J.K. Rowling ended the Harry Potter series. I liked that J.K. Rowling was able to tie up all the loose ends from the series in the final book, however it feels almost too complete. What bothered me the most was the way that she tried to pass Severus Snape off as a good guy, but to me it made him look even worse. Earlier in the series, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix we find out that Harry’s father, James Potter, bullied Snape in school. Because of this it seems Snape holds a grudge over Harry from the day he steps foot into Hogwarts, which is a little immature in my personal opinion. You would think that a grown man would have moved on at some point in his young adult life. Then just when we thought Snape couldn’t get any worse, he does. When Snape and Lily were at Hogwarts together, Lily had befriended him because none of the other kids were nice to him. Lily and Snape were friends until after he had an episode and said something that no one should ever call a friend. “He watched as Lily joined the group and went to Snape’s defense. Distantly he heard Snape shout at her in his humiliation and his fury, the unforgivable word: Mudblood” (Rowling 675). So it seems that the only reason he protected Harry throughout the series was out of guilt for lashing out at Harry’s mother, Lily Evans, when they were kids. Although this could be seen as an act of love because of his love for Lily, to me it almost makes it worse because he isn’t protecting Harry because it’s the right thing to do instead he’s doing it to clear his conscious.

The Deathly Hallows was not only the book I looked forward to the most out of the Harry Potter series, it was also the book that moved me the most out of the series. The way Rowling decided to piece together all the individuals in the wizarding world was incredible.

            As most people typically do, I fell so completely in love with Snape by the end of the seventh novel. And truly, I believe his character development is one of Rowling’s greatest masterpieces and accomplishments. I am not sure that any reader ever thought Snape had good intentions from the beginning. He is one whom some say never deserved Lilly, because he did not have the guts to tell her even a sliver of the feelings he possessed for her. Honestly, most readers probably wonder if he even has a heart by the way he treats Harry, let alone having feelings for anything or anyone. I am a typical Harry Potter fan in the sense that the words “Always” will forever ring a bell in my heart. It’s crazy to imagine that after all that time, Snape still hummed to the same tune. He lost his love to James first, and lost her from the Earth second, but still to this day he would do anything and everything in his power to protect her son, almost as a final promise to her that would give him closure.

            The seventh book proves Severus to be a character who believes in actions over words as well. To be real, he has completely tortured Harry throughout the series. From blaming him for unnecessary things, giving him detentions he didn’t deserve, and accusing him of prancing around like he owned the school, similar to his father. But Snape’s actions proved where his loyalty laid. Snape’s loyalty is shown from the very first novel, when he is framed as cursing Harry’s broom in the quidditch match, but is actually trying to save Harry from falling off his broom.

Like the third and youngest brother from the story, The Tale of the Three Brothers, I met the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series gladly.  I was excited to read the beautifully woven ending of Rowling’s epic story.  Moreover, I read with anticipation – looking forward to the final duel between Potter and Riddle. Yes, Harry’s defeat of Voldemort was expected, but still exciting to read.  Most importantly, I appreciated the way Harry’s sacrifice, his life, did more than destroy the sixth horcrux (Nagini being the seventh).  Like his mother’s sacrifice, Harry’s willingness to die prevented Voldemort from fatally wounding any who fought in resistance against him.  “I’ve done what my mother did.  They’re protected from you.  Haven’t you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding?  You can’t torture them.  You can’t touch them (738).”  

            The Deathly Hallows was filled with sadness, injury, and death.  The death toll in book seven is considerable, many beloved characters were killed: Dobby, Lupin, Fred, Tonks, and Snape – in their own ways all fighting against Voldemort. That being said, I viewed book seven more as a tail of hope.  Like Lupin’s statement to Harry about missing his son, “Sorry I will never know him…but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand.  I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life (700).”  This statement intensifies, Rowling’s point, that death is a noble sacrifice in the face of tyranny. Being willing to fight and die for a better world is a life well lived.  Even if the ones doing the fighting are not around to see the fruits of their toil. 

            J.K. Rowling also shone a light on the love of family and the bonds that bind.  When the news of the fighting at Hogwarts spreads across the wizarding world many witches and wizards arrived to fight against the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.  For example, Percy Weasly returned to the embrace of his family and the raging battle of Hogwarts.  “’I was a fool!’ Percy roared …’I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a – a – …’ ‘Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron,’ said Fred.  ‘Yes, I was!’ (606).”  Along with Percy, there was also Neville’s grandmother, and Albus’ brother Aberforth.  Both who joined the battle of Hogwarts and the fight against a world ruled by Voldemort and his prejudiced views. 

            The theme of sacrifice for the better good is to me a tail of aspiration, the hope for a better more inclusive and tolerant world.  This idea is demonstrated in the chapter titled The Flaw in the Plan.  It was no longer wizards alone who decide to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters – house-elves, thestrals, a hippogriff, a giant, and centaurs join arms in battle.  “The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the entrance hall, screaming and waving carving knives and cleavers, and at their head, the locket of Regulus Black bouncing on his chest, was Kreacher (734).”  These creatures with free will decided to fight against their would be oppressor – the Dark Lord. 

            In the end good prevailed over evil - hope, inclusiveness, and tolerance won the day – Tom Riddle was dead. 

  Works Cited

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic 2007.

I found the ending of the Deathly Hallows very moving. I think that the ending is realistically painful and sad, while at the same time being hopeful and triumphant. More than fifty innocent people have been killed in the battle alone, as well as hundreds of others over the course of Voldemort’s lifetime. After Voldemort has died, Harry and everyone else feel a combination of grief, exhaustion, relief, and hope. This can be seen as Harry slips away with Ron and Hermione to Dumbledore’s office:

“‘Happiness would come,’ Harry thought, ‘but at the moment it was muffled by exhaustion, and the pain of losing Fred and Lupin and Tonks pierced him like a physical wound every few steps. Most of all, he felt the most stupendous relief, and longing to sleep’” (Rowling 746).

This tone of this passage is representative of the tone of the ending the book: sad but hopeful. Tired but relieved. I think that this tone does support that one of the most important topics of the series is death. Specifically, I think that it helps to put finishing touches on a theme that also can be seen in the engraving on Lily and James’ headstone:

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (Rowling 311).

Hermione explains to Harry that this means living beyond or after death. I think that this, along with the tone at the end of the book, help to support the theme that the only way to truly “defeat death” is to have hope for what comes after it, and in doing so, accept it. The death eaters and Voldemort want to defeat death in that they want to become immortal and unaffected by death. However, in doing so, they lose their humanity. You cannot be human and be immortal, and you also cannot experience love and not be affected by death. Part of being human is loving, and part of loving is losing.

James and Lily are going to live after death in that they have hope for the future of their son. The people who died because of Voldemort are going to live after death in that their families and friends will keep on living, remembering them and loving them.

In the final pages of chapter 36, Harry and all the other survivors feel the weight and loss of the death that they have just experienced, but they still have hope for the future, and so are therefore living after death as well.

  Works Cited

When I first read the last book in the Harry Potter series I was twelve years old and was absolutely heartbroken at the amount of death that occurred. Of course back then I was an innocent child who couldn’t understand why any story didn’t end happily. I mean the world is so mean and cruel, and innocent people die every day, so if someone had the power to write a world where everyone lives and it doesn’t end in such tragedy, then why wouldn’t they. I still to this day wish for that, but I know that even though they are works of fiction, they are based in reality and good cannot triumph without casualty and loss. They reflect our world too much for that to be true. So, I believe that the amount of death portrayed in the end was necessary and unavoidable. We, as readers, needed to see the loss of innocent lives and families torn apart to really appreciate the end of the war and the peace that comes after. Beloved characters had to die so that our hearts would be torn and we would really feel the ache of what has happened. Although the deaths of Fred, Lupin, and Tonks were completely heartbreaking and I wished they didn’t happen, I know they needed to be written to evoke a rage in the other characters to keep fighting and to draw the readers more deeply into the story.

            However, with that being said, I do not believe death to be the most important theme in the series. Although we cannot deny it as one of the most common ones in the books. I mean this all started because a boy named Tom Riddle was afraid to die and took drastic measures to prevent it from happening. And the story ended with the symbolic death of the horcrux in Harry and the actual, undeniable death of Lord Voldemort. And, the final book is named after the three items that death himself fashioned, and when put together were said to make the holder the “master of death”. But, in these books, death is used to increase the prevalence of the two most prominent themes, fighting for the what’s right and good, and love.

Rowling crafted the final book in the Harry Potter series to be an emotional ordeal for its readers, and she was extremely successful. Like many other people, my opinions about Snape were drastically changed in the last novel. Rowling surprises her readers through revealing his true allegiances and by explaining how he lived with his grief about Lily all the way to the end of his life. When Harry is viewing Snape’s memories in the Pensieve, it is revealed that Snape’s Patronus is a silver doe, the same form that Lily’s was, and the same Patronus that lead them to the Sword of Gryffindor. After Dumbledore sees his Patronus, he cannot believe Snape still cared for Lily: “After all this time?” “Always” (Chp. 33, pg. 687). Despite it having been years, Snape had always loved Lily, and because of that his true allegiance lied with Dumbledore. A more minor character who I had a change of heart for was, surprisingly, Dudley. He told Harry that “I don’t think you’re a waste of space” and like Harry, that had shocked me when I read it (Chp. 3, pg. 40). After all the years of abusing his cousin, Dudley had, surprisingly, learned to care for him in his own way. I was originally surprised by the death toll Rowling builds up in the last novel. I was upset and angry over the death of so many characters who I had cared about. But, that was when I was younger and first read the book. Now that I’m much older and rereading it, I can understand why the death toll is so high. The book did depict a war after all, and with each war comes its long list of casualties. But that isn’t to say I’m not happy with the characters that die, it still does upset me a good deal. Even Dobby and Hedwig, such minor characters, fall victim to the war. However, through killing off such minor characters Rowling informs her audience that no one is guaranteed safety in war, that all lives are at risk.

Like the third and youngest brother from the story, The Tale of the Three Brothers, I met the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series gladly.  I was excited to read the beautifully woven ending of Rowling’s epic story.  Moreover, I read with anticipation – looking forward to the final duel between Potter and Riddle. Yes, Harry’s defeat of Voldemort was expected, but still exciting to read.  Most importantly, I appreciated the way Harry’s sacrifice, his life, did more than destroy the sixth horcrux (Nagini being the seventh).  Like his mother’s sacrifice, Harry’s willingness to die prevented Voldemort from fatally wounding any who fought in resistance against him.  “I’ve done what my mother did.  They’re protected from you.  Haven’t you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding?  You can’t torture them.  You can’t touch them (738).”  

            The Deathly Hallows was filled with sadness, injury, and death.  The death toll in book seven is considerable, many beloved characters were killed: Dobby, Lupin, Fred, Tonks, and Snape – in their own ways all fighting against Voldemort. That being said, I viewed book seven more as a tail of hope.  Like Lupin’s statement to Harry about missing his son, “Sorry I will never know him…but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand.  I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life (700).”  This statement intensifies, Rowling’s point, that death is a noble sacrifice in the face of tyranny. Being willing to fight and die for a better world is a life well lived.  Even if the ones doing the fighting are not around to see the fruits of their toil. 

            J.K. Rowling also shone a light on the love of family and the bonds that bind.  When the news of the fighting at Hogwarts spreads across the wizarding world many witches and wizards arrived to fight against the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.  For example, Percy Weasly returned to the embrace of his family and the raging battle of Hogwarts.  “’I was a fool!’ Percy roared …’I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a – a – …’ ‘Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron,’ said Fred.  ‘Yes, I was!’ (606).”  Along with Percy, there was also Neville’s grandmother, and Albus’ brother Aberforth.  Both who joined the battle of Hogwarts and the fight against a world ruled by Voldemort and his prejudiced views. 

            The theme of sacrifice for the better good is to me a tail of aspiration, the hope for a better more inclusive and tolerant world.  This idea is demonstrated in the chapter titled The Flaw in the Plan.  It was no longer wizards alone who decide to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters – house-elves, thestrals, a hippogriff, a giant, and centaurs join arms in battle.  “The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the entrance hall, screaming and waving carving knives and cleavers, and at their head, the locket of Regulus Black bouncing on his chest, was Kreacher (734).”  These creatures with free will decided to fight against their would be oppressor – the Dark Lord. 

            In the end good prevailed over evil - hope, inclusiveness, and tolerance won the day – Tom Riddle was dead. 

  Works Cited

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic 2007.

My feelings towards the end of Deathly Hallows and the end of the series in general are all over the place. I had feelings of shock, sadness, confusion, and also happiness. I got feelings of shock throughout the story because of all the unexpected things that happened. I am completely shocked when I found out the truth about Snape. I never suspected him to actually be protecting Harry the whole time. When Harry looks into the Pensieve, into Snape’s memories, and sees what he’s been doing and why, I am amazed (Rowling, 662). I am shocked when I see more people close to Harry die fighting for him. Besides Hermione, Ron, and Ginny, most people whom Harry cares for most die. Since this is my first time reading the series, I didn’t realize how much death revolves around this series, until the end of this book. I felt sadness for some of the same reasons. All these people Harry cared about that were specifically fighting for him, died. What made me so sad is when Harry realized that he had to die for Voldemort to end, and to save everyone else. Seeing this chapter where Harry is willing to die is such an emotional part of the end to this series (Rowling, 703). Harry, afraid but willing, set off into the forest in front of Voldemort and his death eaters to die (Rowling, 703, 704). Seeing someone be humble to death and willing to death was an interesting take on this. This turning point in the series made me so mad that this would be the outcome. On the other side, Voldemort is fighting death so hard. This end is very confusing. I felt confused when trying to figure out why Harry had to die, why Snape was doing what he did, how the Elder Wand works, and how Voldemort finally died. The fact that a part of Voldemort’s soul left and went inside Harry when he tried to kill him gets confusing when trying to figure out about who can kill who, and who can live while the other dies. I experienced happiness when I find out that Harry actually did not die when Voldemort strikes the killing curse on him. Finding out that Harry would do absolutely anything, even death, to get rid of Voldemort shows his true powers. Even though people died for Harry, they wanted to fight against Voldemort to end it as well. They knew there was no other way to survive without trying. They believed in Harry, and he knew that this would never end without killing Voldemort. Finding out that Harry didn’t even really kill Voldemort still shows how he is as a person. Voldemort killed himself because his spell rebounded back onto him, while Harry was just using “Expellimarus!” All of these feelings for the series kept me so intrigued and is why these are such awesome books.

            Like I said above, my feelings definitely changed for Snape at the end. I do think by the way he treated Harry in the beginning of the series that it’s so ironic just because he really was protecting Harry the whole time. I just really had a hatred for Snape from the perspective of Harry, but seeing the perspective from himself and Dumbledore made all the difference to me. The fact that he put himself such in danger to make sure Harry was okay was very brave and unexpected.

            I do agree with Rowling that death is the most important theme in the series. The fact that the end of Voldemort relies on someone to die is the major conflict in this series and in this book specifically. What intrigues me the most is that in the beginning of reading this series, I had no idea where it would end up or that death would be such an importance. I haven’t ever thought of death as a theme for a book until these ones.

 The Deathly Hallows revealed a lot about many characters. The development of Snape in this novel was very interesting and caused me to go back and forth over whether I should change my opinion on this usually cruel and unjust man. When Voldemort kills Snape in order to receive control over the Elder Wand (DH, Chapter 32) he reveals through the Pensive that Snape has been on Dumbledore’s side to show his love for Lilly Potter “after all this time” (DH, p. 87). He has been protecting Harry Potter, yet mistreats him and shows hatred to Harry. Snape says “He is his father over again” (DH, p.684) which shows this hatred has some connection with his father James. I definitely changed my opinion on Snape’s and realized his intentions were good, however as a person the way he goes about expressing his feelings still disturbs me.

  Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic, 2007.

The epilogue at the end of the books follows into a common trope found in many other stories such as, Cinderella, Snow White, or Beauty and the Beast. Being that they all end with them living happily ever after. It was a given that the books would end with the duel between Harry and Voldemort and one of them dying but, if it had ended there it might have left people wondering what happens to the famous trio. The epilogue helps with this showing how they are 19 years later, who they ended up marrying, and that they had children. Although, the ending was left in a way that wraps it all up it also leaves gap to be able to write another book it she wanted to. She didn’t think she would write anymore to the series after the seventh book but she ended up writing the Cursed Child several years later. 

i liked it.

hahaha jk there's more to it than that.

I thought the ending of the series was unique in the way that it wasn't a traditional children's storyline ending.She also wrapped up the plot and characters quite well at the end of the series. I thought it was especially unique how JK Rowling killed off Harry, then brought him back to life. While doing this, Rowling introduces the concept of death into the series(although not for the first time). She writes about death from a first person point of view. Rowling writes "it came to him that he must exist, must be more than disembodied thought, because he was lying, definitely lying, on some surface" (705). This quote is from the beginning of the chapter "King's Cross" and sets a sort of calming mood and tone. There is no panic from the battle. This helps the readers feel that the other characters deaths weren't that sufferable

The epilogue at the end of the books follows into a common trope found in many other stories such as, Cinderella, Snow White, or Beauty and the Beast. Being that they all end with them living happily ever after. It was a given that the books would end with the duel between Harry and Voldemort and one of them dying but, if it had ended there it might have left people wondering what happens to the famous trio. The epilogue helps with this showing how they are 19 years later, who they ended up marrying, and that they had children. It even shows “Draco Malfoy [...] standing there with his wife and son” (Deathly Hallows 755). Showing that no matter how mean or evil someone was as a child they still lived happily ever after. Although, the ending was left in a way that wraps it all up it also leaves gap to be able to write another book it she wanted to. She didn’t think she would write anymore to the series after the seventh book but she ended up writing the Cursed Child several years later. 

As the Battle of Hogwarts is won and Harry finally defeats Voldemort, I think we Potter fans can all agree on feeling a tad bittersweet reading those last pages. However, as the series comes to an end, I think there’s a lot to learn in the series as a whole, and the last books closing chapters.

We learn that it was not only the destruction of Horcruxes that would finish Voldemort, but becoming the true master of the Hallows as well. The Hallows, three objects Dumbledore and Grindewald chased as teenagers, that in the wrong hands could bring death to all. While Voldemort searches only for the Elder Wand, Harry admits he would much rather have the resurrection stone, if only to bring back his parents from the dead. Yet another humble difference between the two. It only makes sense that Harry would be descended from Ignotus Peverell, the most noble of the three brothers. He did not wish to tease or provoke Death, and was wise enough to ask for a gift that would further protect him (the cloak of invisibility). However, Voldemort is descended from Cadmus. Cadmus chose his gift of the resurrection stone to humiliate Death even further. These two both sealed their own fates trying to conquer death… Voldemort made several mistakes, all stemming from his fear of dying. The day that Voldemort decided to kill Harry to preserve himself, was the day he created his own destiny. Harry grew up strong with all the tools he needed, protected by his mother’s love, his friends, Dumbledore, The Order, even Severus Snape.

The theme of death in the novels has never been more relevant than in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The destruction of Horcruxes means death for Voldemort. The possession of all three Hallows means becoming the Master of Death. Fear of dying causes Voldemort’s fate to ultimately be, death itself. The creation of his horcruxes, his search for only the wand, and his isolation from others makes him vulnerable and alone. Voldemort kills Severus, in hopes that he will become the master of the elder wand. Dumbledore must die, by Snape’s hand, so that Malfoy’s soul will not be tainted. The amount of death and dying is almost too much to bear, but it is essential. In my opinion the only other theme that could even be argued to be more important than death is sacrifice. The sacrifices of Hedwig, Tonks, Lupin, Fred, and Dobby. Countless lives lost since that day in the graveyard when Peter murdered Cedric. Everyone the death eaters have murdered, all for “the greater good”. But the ultimate sacrifice is when Harry goes into the forest knowing he will die. That for me, is when I knew that Harry would be victorious over Voldemort in the end. He may have been afraid, but he didn’t cower from it. Voldemort would never die to save his friends, or his family. He doesn’t even have any. He killed his own father. Voldemort is a coward. His name quite literally means "flight of death".

The hardest thing for me to understand when it was all over, was the fact that anyone could be so evil. I almost wish we could see more of what Voldemort was thinking as a child, although I’m sure one of the reasons I love this series is because Voldemort is quite the mystery. I can understand his feelings of envy towards people who share love and human connection. I understand his hatred towards his muggle father for abandoning him. But I don’t understand when he started to fear death. Or feel the need to kill and torture innocent people to justify the wrongs done unto him. The only thing we are ever truly sure of is that his link to Harry is strong. They are distantly related; they share a connection between minds. Harry’s and Voldemort’s wand cores share feathers from the same phoenix. And finally we learn the day that Voldemort decided to kill Harry, was the day he put part of his own soul inside of him. That Harry had become a horcrux. This is why they are so connected, that Harry can feel Voldemort’s thoughts and emotions. But regardless of all this Harry, has many qualities that Tom Riddle does not. Harry is brave, he knows sacrifice and love. He is noble and kind and wants to save everyone he knows and even people he does not. There is no room for hate in his heart.

The last thing I will touch on is Severus Snape, and Neville Longbottom. I believe these two characters are some of the bravest people in all of the novels combined. Not to discredit Hermione or Ron, but Neville has been battling with himself for years. When he kills Nagini and the sword of Gryffindor comes to him in the sorting hat, it shows that he has truly evolved into a brave and courageous man. He is no longer the young boy that Malfoy stole a rememberal from. He is a hero. And Severus Snape, on the other hand, is the ultimate symbol of love. For years Harry has despised him, only to find that all along Snape was protecting him for Lilly. That Severus left them the sword in the forest, and that for over a decade he has been trying to do everything he can to make his betrayal to Lilly right. Lilly’s love has surely gone a long way. 

Like the third and youngest brother from the story, The Tale of the Three Brothers, I met the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series gladly.  I was excited to read the beautifully woven ending of Rowling’s epic story.  Moreover, I read with anticipation – looking forward to the final duel between Potter and Riddle. Yes, Harry’s defeat of Voldemort was expected, but still exciting to read.  Most importantly, I appreciated the way Harry’s sacrifice, his life, did more than destroy the sixth horcrux (Nagini being the seventh).  Like his mother’s sacrifice, Harry’s willingness to die prevented Voldemort from fatally wounding any who fought in resistance against him.  “I’ve done what my mother did.  They’re protected from you.  Haven’t you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding?  You can’t torture them.  You can’t touch them (738).”  

            The Deathly Hallows was filled with sadness, injury, and death.  The death toll in book seven is considerable, many beloved characters were killed: Dobby, Lupin, Fred, Tonks, and Snape – in their own ways all fighting against Voldemort. That being said, I viewed book seven more as a tail of hope.  Like Lupin’s statement to Harry about missing his son, “Sorry I will never know him…but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand.  I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life (700).”  This statement intensifies, Rowling’s point, that death is a noble sacrifice in the face of tyranny. Being willing to fight and die for a better world is a life well lived.  Even if the ones doing the fighting are not around to see the fruits of their toil. 

            J.K. Rowling also shone a light on the love of family and the bonds that bind.  When the news of the fighting at Hogwarts spreads across the wizarding world many witches and wizards arrived to fight against the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.  For example, Percy Weasly returned to the embrace of his family and the raging battle of Hogwarts.  “’I was a fool!’ Percy roared …’I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a – a – …’ ‘Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron,’ said Fred.  ‘Yes, I was!’ (606).”  Along with Percy, there was also Neville’s grandmother, and Albus’ brother Aberforth.  Both who joined the battle of Hogwarts and the fight against a world ruled by Voldemort and his prejudiced views. 

            The theme of sacrifice for the better good is to me a tail of aspiration, the hope for a better more inclusive and tolerant world.  This idea is demonstrated in the chapter titled The Flaw in the Plan.  It was no longer wizards alone who decide to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters – house-elves, thestrals, a hippogriff, a giant, and centaurs join arms in battle.  “The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the entrance hall, screaming and waving carving knives and cleavers, and at their head, the locket of Regulus Black bouncing on his chest, was Kreacher (734).”  These creatures with free will decided to fight against their would be oppressor – the Dark Lord. 

            In the end good prevailed over evil - hope, inclusiveness, and tolerance won the day – Tom Riddle was dead. 

  Works Cited

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic 2007.

Like the third and youngest brother from the story, The Tale of the Three Brothers, I met the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series gladly.  I was excited to read the beautifully woven ending of Rowling’s epic story.  Moreover, I read with anticipation – looking forward to the final duel between Potter and Riddle. Yes, Harry’s defeat of Voldemort was expected, but still exciting to read.  Most importantly, I appreciated the way Harry’s sacrifice, his life, did more than destroy the sixth horcrux (Nagini being the seventh).  Like his mother’s sacrifice, Harry’s willingness to die prevented Voldemort from fatally wounding any who fought in resistance against him.  “I’ve done what my mother did.  They’re protected from you.  Haven’t you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding?  You can’t torture them.  You can’t touch them (738).”  

            The Deathly Hallows was filled with sadness, injury, and death.  The death toll in book seven is considerable, many beloved characters were killed: Dobby, Lupin, Fred, Tonks, and Snape – in their own ways all fighting against Voldemort. That being said, I viewed book seven more as a tail of hope.  Like Lupin’s statement to Harry about missing his son, “Sorry I will never know him…but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand.  I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life (700).”  This statement intensifies, Rowling’s point, that death is a noble sacrifice in the face of tyranny. Being willing to fight and die for a better world is a life well lived.  Even if the ones doing the fighting are not around to see the fruits of their toil. 

            J.K. Rowling also shone a light on the love of family and the bonds that bind.  When the news of the fighting at Hogwarts spreads across the wizarding world many witches and wizards arrived to fight against the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.  For example, Percy Weasly returned to the embrace of his family and the raging battle of Hogwarts.  “’I was a fool!’ Percy roared …’I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a – a – …’ ‘Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron,’ said Fred.  ‘Yes, I was!’ (606).”  Along with Percy, there was also Neville’s grandmother, and Albus’ brother Aberforth.  Both who joined the battle of Hogwarts and the fight against a world ruled by Voldemort and his prejudiced views. 

            The theme of sacrifice for the better good is to me a tail of aspiration, the hope for a better more inclusive and tolerant world.  This idea is demonstrated in the chapter titled The Flaw in the Plan.  It was no longer wizards alone who decide to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters – house-elves, thestrals, a hippogriff, a giant, and centaurs join arms in battle.  “The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the entrance hall, screaming and waving carving knives and cleavers, and at their head, the locket of Regulus Black bouncing on his chest, was Kreacher (734).”  These creatures with free will decided to fight against their would be oppressor – the Dark Lord. 

            In the end good prevailed over evil - hope, inclusiveness, and tolerance won the day – Tom Riddle was dead. 

  Works Cited

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic 2007.