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Good vs. Evil in Goblet of Fire

by Travis Prinzi on May 1, 2006

Question: How is the abstract theme of Good vs. Evil further developed, complicated, extended, or diversified in Goblet of Fire?

The theme of Good vs. Evil is further developed in the graveyard scene as Voldemort explains how he was destroyed yet remained alive. Good vs. Evil is centered very much around the question of death. Voldemort explains to his followers that it was Harry’s mother’s “foolish sacrifice” that saved him. (653) He speaks of his own “experiments,” which have brought him “further than anybody along the path that leads to immortality.” (653) His own goal is “to conquer death.” (653) As he continues his story, he speaks of killing people as though they were
trash to be thrown out every week. He has no problem committing the most evil of atrocities in order to keep himself alive.

Harry, on the other hand, is willing to die. Though he is nowhere near prepared for a duel with Voldemort, he is prepared to do what is right, i.e., to fight Voldemort and even die in the attempt. (660) His willingness to die in doing what is right, along with his mother’s, is contrasted with Voldemort’s evil intentions to do what is wrong in order to stay alive.

Facing death is a scary prospect. But as Dumbledore teaches the students to “Remember Cedric Diggory” should the choice present itself “between what is right and what is easy,” clearly he is teaching that Cedric, who died, is an example of what is right. (724) Better to die doing what is good than live doing what is evil.

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May 3, 2006 at 11:32 am

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jugheadNo Gravatar May 1, 2006 at 4:35 pm

We have often heard this old saying “Good always triumphs over Evil”.Hpoefully that will be the ending note in the last Harry Potter Book.I’ve read and heard many ppl say “Harry Potter has a ‘bad’ influence on kids” and stuff like that.But what I feel is it depends on one to interpret it in which ever way they want,u know what i mean! Just like a half-full glass is either half-full or half empty.

NO DOUBT Harry Potter IS against the evil. We have all seen the engrafted urge for revenge and a thirst for justice(justice for Harry’s parents and Cedric’s untimely death) within Harry which cannot be quenched.Harry is ready to DO or DIE.Not only does he want to avenge their death but also wants to get rid of this Voldy menace.

Even as the duel bet LV and Harry begins, Harry is not willing to bow before LV.This shows his ‘Never say Die’,plucky attitude TO QUOTE:”He was not going to let Voldemort play with him before killing him…he was not going to give him that stisfaction…” This,according to me, reflects Harry’s strong character that is stooped upon finishing off the Evil more than his own survival.

As you have already mentioned, Travis,Harry is positively prepared to die but not without putting up a brave fight against LV.
This itself is a sign of bravery which is surely pointing towards the good.TO Quote: “He was going to die but he wasn’t going to play along.He wasn’t going to obey Voldemort…he wasn’t going to beg…”"he was going to die upright like his father,and he was going to defend himself”

After reading GoF I’ve realized one thing,it requires courage to stare at death in the face without batting an eyelid.This is not a sign of the evil.For instance, in PoA,Wormtail begged nearly ALL the people present in the Shreaking Shack for a 2nd chance to live. He pleaded even with Harry whose parents he had betrayed.He was so wanting to live that he did not shy away from begging for his life in front of Harry,who was supposed to be the one wanting revenge.Wormtail was evil,thus he did so.Whereas Harry (in the graveyard) “threw himself around the headstone ,facing Voldemort.

I personally feel that Volemort, with his greed for power will be no match for Harry who is armed with his secret weapon-love and the urge to do what is right than for personal gains.

So DEFINATELY, GoF portrays the war between good and evil to some extent.

**I sincerely HOPE that the last HP book ends with the note i.e. “Triumph Of Good Over Evil”

Cheers!

korg20000bcNo Gravatar May 5, 2006 at 6:37 am

Travis,
I took Dumbledore’s “Remember Cedric Diggory” to be a warning. I took it that he was saying that Voldemort was willing to kill, even to kill those who were not directly opposed to him. ie that complacency was not an option when someone as evil as Voldemort was about. Also it seemed to me to be an exhortation to fight, because the fight was there, whether you wish it or not.

Matt

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