A Special Easter Episode
Pub Menu
- The Meaning of the Phoenix
- Johnny: J.K. Rowling, a Christian? (be sure to visit his new blog, Behold a Phoenix)
- The Magic of Resurrection – for those who can’t get the podcast, the content of this post is basically a transcript for most of the episode (the essay linked above, “The Meaning of the Phoenix,” is an expanded version)
- Quotes from Mill and Grimes are taken from Reading Harry Potter: Critical Essays
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I believe that redemption through sacrifice and resurrection will be the themes of the last book. What puzzles me is what form this will take.
Is Dumbledore’s death the sacrifice? And if so, how will he be resurrected? As a spirit? As an “echo” or “shade” through his portrait? Or through the loyalty of others to what he stands for?
Or will there be another sacrifice and resurrection? Will an “innocent” have to die to redeem the world from evil? Which innocent?
Or maybe this time Harry will visit the underworld – maybe like Orpheus in search of his Eurydice – to speak with the spirits, and emerge, resurrected, without his scar.
BTW, I’ve been thinking about that scar. Far from it being a symbol of Voldemort or a Horcrux, I’ve started thinking it’s a symbol of his mother’s protection, and is destined to disappear when he becomes of age.
Wow, what a fantastic episode! Absolutely brilliant. I was especially impressed that Aberforth can play the organ, being that Dumbledore isn’t certain he is able to read.
::::sigh:::: I so worry that Harry will be forced to actually sacrifice himself for the good of the Wizarding world. I hope it won’t be true. I can’t see how it would all come about, but here’s my very vague scenario: Harry will have to come to the point of being willing to die, and at one point we might even be led to believe that he’s actually dead, but he won’t be. Either someone will bring him back from the brink of death, as has happened before, or he will take the Draught of the Living Death to fake death and the reader won’t know it till later (sort of like how we didn’t know Harry hadn’t actually given Ron the Felix Felicis potion until after the Quidditch game). But going behind the veil would work too, as long as there’s a way for him to get back — but since Sirius couldn’t get back I fail to understand how that would work.
I was impressed by Aberforth as well. Apparently, he plays by ear. Who knew?
I agree: Harry will at least need to be willing to sacrifice himself, and there will at least be another figurative death and resurrection. I’m leaning away from the opinion that he will actually die. And Harry’s already shown himself willing to die thus far. When he learns more about Dumbledore’s sacrifice, he will be all the more transformed into one who loves and is willing to give himself up not only for his friends, but for his enemies.
I’m leaning more and more towards thinking that Harry will survive book 7. I now give him 60/40 odds rather than 50/50.
Yes, J.K. could end the book with Harry making a happy reunion with his loved ones in the land beyond…but I’m just not sure such an ending would truly satisfy…
Hm…Easter itself does seem to be under attack this year, doesn’t it? Maybe it is every year, and this year I’m just noticing…
Yeah with the whole Easter Tomb documentary and everything. However I think that died down quickly after some scholars weighed in. I work at a Barnes and Noble and the book based on the documentary does not even sell at all. Good work on the podcast Travis. I hope Harry does not die as well but I have a feeling he will.