Dumbledore: I like how Dumbledore is made human here. His regrets and how his rejection of power is founded in a belief that he cannot be trusted with it. I am not sure it is justified, as power does not seem to have been his main goal even as he was teaming up with Grindewald.
That's a good point. And I liked the previously suggested reasons for his refusal to become Minister better.
Although the Malfoys should perhaps be mentioned. They have shown themselves as surprisingly loving parents throughout (especially considering the scenes in earlier books where Draco's relationship with his father, especially, seems to be characterised by a lack of (demonstrated, at any rate) love. I like how Narcissa saves Harry to save Draco, and how the Malfoys cannot be bothered with the fighting once they are inside the castle. It would be too much of a stretch to have them fight on the side of Good, and I prefer this rejection of sides at all in favour of finding their son.
Agreed with that. One gets the impression that the balance of power in the family has shifted, Narcissa being in the lead now and Lucius following, and that has its consequences in what they do.
And Molly. It was mentioned earlier that Molly has become a sort of housewifey caricature character when in earlier times she would have been both competent and courageous. I like that this resurfaces in this final battle. Yes, her provocation is an attack on her one daughter (which brings back up Ron's suspicions), but her competency is unquestionable, as the woman who could easily fend off Hermione, Luna and Ginny in one go is suddenly forced to concentrate.
Well, see, it is in itself defensible that a grown woman is indeed more of a force to be reckoned with than three schoolgirls, even when those three schoolgirls are rather good for their age. It is possible to say, look here, Ginny may be redoubtable and all, but that's only by schoolgirl standards. Unfortunately, considering that the entirety of book seven consists of three schoolkids doing everything by themselves, ignoring the adults and carrying the day, it feels rather inconsistent to suddenly give such weight to adult experience now. It would have been far more credible if 1) Molly had defeated Bellatrix with a quick lucky shot, 2) Molly had defeated Bellatrix with the aid of the girls, or of course 3) Bellatrix had summarily defeated or even killed Molly.
So, yeah, I still really don't like it. That she throws herself into that fight, absolutely; that she is better than the three girls combined and defeats Bellatrix in a fair fight, absolutely not.
Voldemort: I was intrigued by his reaction to Bellatrix' death. Considering his attitude to her lately, I would not have expected him to care. It must be a result of everyone else having fallen, but even so that reaction seems uncharacteristic.
I suppose he does appreciate having a fiercely loyal psycho by his side who hangs on his every word?
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book 7 - The Deathly Hallows
24/11/2010 07:47:44 PM
- 3719 Views
Suggestions - tell us what we could do better for this final discussion.
24/11/2010 07:48:22 PM
- 1595 Views
The series as a whole: overall thoughts about the Harry Potter universe and all it contains
24/11/2010 07:49:21 PM
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Overall thoughts for The Deathly Hallows
24/11/2010 07:50:12 PM
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This might be the only book other than the first where I actually like Harry.
30/11/2010 03:13:25 PM
- 1622 Views
Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
04/12/2010 03:45:24 PM
- 1759 Views
Re: Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
04/12/2010 10:33:03 PM
- 1772 Views
Going all the way back to the beginning in a number of ways, all of them so far excellent.
07/12/2010 10:19:33 PM
- 1805 Views
Having finished it again... it's good, at times great, but not the best book in the series, imho.
26/12/2010 08:19:47 PM
- 1859 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Dark Lord Ascending, In Memorian, The Dursleys Departing.
24/11/2010 07:51:29 PM
- 1720 Views
Characters: Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Harry, Dodge, Dumbledore, Skeeter & the Dursleys
24/11/2010 07:52:55 PM
- 1744 Views
Snape, Draco, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Ms Burbage, Dumbledore, and the Dursleys.
24/11/2010 11:46:16 PM
- 1852 Views
Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
25/11/2010 04:44:36 PM
- 1888 Views
Re: Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
25/11/2010 04:53:25 PM
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As Katie said, the husband is still around.
26/11/2010 10:56:30 AM
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Re: Charity Burbage
25/11/2010 06:47:43 PM
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Re: Charity Burbage
25/11/2010 06:48:52 PM
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Dudley
30/11/2010 03:16:25 PM
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Agreed, but she just went overboard too far early on for it to be credible now.
06/12/2010 08:44:48 PM
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Plotting, writing, early themes.
24/11/2010 07:53:33 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
24/11/2010 07:53:46 PM
- 740 Views
other stuff
24/11/2010 11:47:54 PM
- 1572 Views
I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
25/11/2010 04:26:58 PM
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Re: I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
27/11/2010 01:20:44 AM
- 1662 Views
Chapters 4-6: The Seven Potters, The Fallen Warrior, The Ghoul in Pyjamas *NM*
26/11/2010 07:27:53 PM
- 848 Views
Characters: Harry, the Order, Hedwig, Mr & Mrs Tonks, Voldemort, etc
26/11/2010 07:29:48 PM
- 1699 Views
Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
27/11/2010 11:56:17 AM
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Re: Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
30/11/2010 02:52:12 PM
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The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
26/11/2010 07:30:35 PM
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Re: The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
27/11/2010 11:59:36 AM
- 1901 Views
Yes, Dumbledore gives a very complex answer about the wand thing
01/12/2010 08:44:57 PM
- 1575 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
26/11/2010 07:30:49 PM
- 836 Views
Chapters 7-9: The Will of Albus Dumbledore, The Wedding, A Place to Hide
29/11/2010 06:39:52 PM
- 1547 Views
The characters: usual suspects, Scrimgeour, Doge, Krum, Luna, Xenophilius, etc.
29/11/2010 06:41:41 PM
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I just realized something about Krum.
06/12/2010 09:00:28 PM
- 1621 Views
The action.
29/11/2010 06:42:10 PM
- 1544 Views
Hermione and obliviate.
30/11/2010 02:23:51 PM
- 1627 Views
Re: Hermione and obliviate.
30/11/2010 03:24:06 PM
- 1674 Views
I think this was a Rowling mistake. It happens
01/12/2010 08:32:25 PM
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Agreed, though a rather blatant one that someone should have caught... *NM*
06/12/2010 08:18:58 PM
- 836 Views
Kreacher quoting Regulus raises an interesting point...
06/12/2010 08:33:02 PM
- 1810 Views
Er, I posted this in the wrong place. That's what I get when I try to catch up. Sorry. *NM*
06/12/2010 08:34:06 PM
- 873 Views
Please, sir, may I have some more? *NM*
29/11/2010 06:44:14 PM
- 801 Views
I love the use of Patronuses (Patroni?) as messengers.
30/11/2010 02:59:04 PM
- 1678 Views
Chapters 10-12: Kreacher's Tale, The Bribe, Magic is Might
01/12/2010 11:41:40 PM
- 1524 Views
Characters: more of the trio, Kreacher, Mundungus, RAB and Umbridge
01/12/2010 11:42:34 PM
- 1570 Views
Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
02/12/2010 09:11:21 AM
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Re: Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
04/12/2010 10:55:34 PM
- 1826 Views
Seconded. Righteous anger is more fun than whiny angst-anger. *NM*
06/12/2010 09:41:16 PM
- 811 Views
I'm not sure why we're supposed to be surprised about Scrimgeour.
06/12/2010 09:46:27 PM
- 1863 Views
Two things about Mafalda Hopkirk.
06/12/2010 09:54:53 PM
- 1649 Views
Weaving the plot, the writing, and thematic matters.
01/12/2010 11:43:25 PM
- 1685 Views
The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 09:14:21 AM
- 1737 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 02:12:29 PM
- 1748 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 02:35:06 PM
- 1472 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 04:16:14 PM
- 1795 Views
And? And? And? *NM*
01/12/2010 11:43:46 PM
- 845 Views
Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
04/12/2010 10:21:42 PM
- 1774 Views
Re: Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
04/12/2010 10:32:17 PM
- 1670 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Muggle-Born Registration Commission, The Thief, The Goblin's Revenge *NM*
04/12/2010 11:01:25 AM
- 997 Views
Characters: Ministry members, the trio, Ted, Dean, Dirk, Goblins, Phineas Nigellus
04/12/2010 11:07:57 AM
- 1656 Views
Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
04/12/2010 09:59:45 PM
- 1858 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
06/12/2010 10:41:08 PM
- 1823 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
06/12/2010 10:45:17 PM
- 1721 Views
Plotting, writing, theming.
04/12/2010 11:08:47 AM
- 1822 Views
Apparating and the fidelius charm, some good plotting and the food problem.
04/12/2010 10:01:16 PM
- 1837 Views
Anything else? *NM*
04/12/2010 11:10:52 AM
- 881 Views
It may be a stretch, but with all the Nazi references, any WW2 reference is gonna catch my eye.
06/12/2010 10:09:04 PM
- 1680 Views
Re: It may be a stretch, but with all the Nazi references, any WW2 reference is gonna catch my eye.
06/12/2010 10:17:42 PM
- 1617 Views
Chapters 16-18: Godric's Hollow, Bathilda's Secret, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
06/12/2010 09:57:00 PM
- 1658 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Bathilda, Dumbledore and others
06/12/2010 09:57:52 PM
- 1761 Views
Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:02:13 PM
- 1797 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:14:26 PM
- 1865 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:18:15 PM
- 1947 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:34:15 PM
- 1645 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:36:18 PM
- 1670 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:39:58 PM
- 1943 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:42:27 PM
- 1531 Views
I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
07/12/2010 08:47:11 PM
- 1552 Views
Re: I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
07/12/2010 08:55:54 PM
- 1602 Views
Lights! Camera! Action!
06/12/2010 09:59:52 PM
- 1649 Views
But wait! There's more!
06/12/2010 10:00:34 PM
- 1612 Views
Chapters 19-21: The Silver Doe, Xenophilius Lovegood, The Tale of the Three Brothers
08/12/2010 08:47:04 PM
- 1698 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lovegood ... and not many more. *NM*
08/12/2010 08:49:28 PM
- 903 Views
Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 12:01:57 AM
- 1791 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 03:04:11 PM
- 1817 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 08:03:05 PM
- 1687 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 11:48:08 PM
- 1894 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 08:44:01 PM
- 1722 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 09:00:44 PM
- 1646 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 09:16:48 PM
- 1640 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 09:19:38 PM
- 1648 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
19/12/2010 06:58:04 PM
- 1597 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
20/12/2010 09:36:17 AM
- 1627 Views
What was that again about Hermione not being so good at thinking on her feet?
09/12/2010 07:52:23 PM
- 1692 Views
Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
08/12/2010 08:50:53 PM
- 1766 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
09/12/2010 12:04:37 AM
- 1651 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
09/12/2010 03:25:53 PM
- 1644 Views
I don't think it works that way. They aren't "used up".
09/12/2010 06:52:29 PM
- 1623 Views
up up down down left right left right b a select start. look at me I have 99 horcruxes!
10/12/2010 04:19:56 AM
- 1348 Views
They're not so annoying yet, now.
09/12/2010 06:56:46 PM
- 1544 Views
Re: They're not so annoying yet, now.
09/12/2010 11:52:02 PM
- 1754 Views
Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
- 1664 Views
Re: Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
- 1777 Views
Chapters 22-24: The Deathly Hallows, Malfoy Manor, The Wandmaker.
10/12/2010 09:11:32 PM
- 1556 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Malfoys, Dobby, a number of others. *NM*
10/12/2010 09:12:30 PM
- 873 Views
Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
10/12/2010 11:23:09 PM
- 1857 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
13/12/2010 08:47:27 PM
- 1681 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
13/12/2010 09:26:58 PM
- 1872 Views
On a side note about wands
14/12/2010 06:05:13 PM
- 1712 Views
Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
- 1721 Views
Re: Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
- 1785 Views
Plot, writing, themes. *NM*
10/12/2010 09:13:37 PM
- 864 Views
An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
10/12/2010 11:24:05 PM
- 1595 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
20/12/2010 01:00:38 PM
- 1746 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
20/12/2010 07:32:48 PM
- 1773 Views
Chapters 25-27: Shell Cottage, Gringotts, The Final Hiding Place
13/12/2010 10:03:15 PM
- 1574 Views
Characters *NM*
13/12/2010 10:03:29 PM
- 819 Views
Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 05:16:51 PM
- 1739 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:04:09 PM
- 1699 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:19:04 PM
- 1770 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:37:00 PM
- 1644 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:45:36 PM
- 1773 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
20/12/2010 03:33:49 PM
- 1791 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
20/12/2010 07:35:51 PM
- 1964 Views
Plot, action, etc. *NM*
13/12/2010 10:04:02 PM
- 821 Views
red herring, fidelius charm information and full circle.
14/12/2010 05:17:11 PM
- 1513 Views
Other things. *NM*
13/12/2010 10:04:23 PM
- 729 Views
Film stuff
14/12/2010 05:17:18 PM
- 1596 Views
Excellent point.
14/12/2010 10:05:01 PM
- 1581 Views
Re: Excellent point.
14/12/2010 10:09:53 PM
- 1613 Views
Sometimes Rowling's parallels are far too simplistic and unsophisticated.
20/12/2010 03:39:50 PM
- 1614 Views
Chapters 28-30: The Missing Mirror, The Lost Diadem, The Sacking of Severus Snape *NM*
16/12/2010 01:07:20 PM
- 864 Views
Characters *NM*
16/12/2010 01:07:31 PM
- 802 Views
Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
16/12/2010 11:52:46 PM
- 1868 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
20/12/2010 05:16:13 PM
- 1722 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
20/12/2010 11:02:45 PM
- 1702 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
26/12/2010 08:43:03 PM
- 1708 Views
Writing, action, plot, theme, yadda yadda yadda. *NM*
16/12/2010 01:08:04 PM
- 821 Views
red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
16/12/2010 11:53:56 PM
- 1695 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
20/12/2010 05:38:46 PM
- 1684 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
20/12/2010 11:06:01 PM
- 1862 Views
Other things. *NM*
16/12/2010 01:08:25 PM
- 840 Views
Chapters 31-33: The Battle for Hogwarts, The Elder Wand, The Prince's Tale
19/12/2010 07:56:39 PM
- 1666 Views
Characters: far too many to mention.
19/12/2010 07:58:41 PM
- 1540 Views
Too many to mention, indeed.
20/12/2010 09:30:54 AM
- 1874 Views
The action, and plot advancement and completion.
19/12/2010 08:00:09 PM
- 1689 Views
memories, cinematic moments and parallels.
20/12/2010 09:32:27 AM
- 1448 Views
Chapters 34-36: The Forest Again, King's Cross, The Flaw in the Plan
20/12/2010 07:31:27 PM
- 1552 Views
Characters: Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, et al.
20/12/2010 07:32:15 PM
- 1569 Views
Harry, Dumbledore, Neville, the Malfoys, Molly and Voldemort
20/12/2010 11:28:19 PM
- 1712 Views
The Malfoys and Molly
01/01/2011 10:55:28 PM
- 1791 Views
Tying up the plot.
20/12/2010 07:33:00 PM
- 1554 Views
Narnia, blood, revenge of the downtrodden, sacrifice, plans and souls
20/12/2010 11:29:44 PM
- 1685 Views
Epilogue: the future.
20/12/2010 07:35:06 PM
- 1665 Views