Philoking.comfrom Jason Burns’ perspective…

I have always hated this defense. When they would say, “Michael Jordan wasn’t really that good!” Or when you would hear, “I am so tired of seeing Tiger win.” How about when you would hear people say how much they dislike a band they used to love when they get popular. What is it about our culture that makes some people hate anything that is widely accepted by the public, no matter the merit? Today I was reading some reader reviews of the final Harry Potter book on MSNBC and came across this jewel:

“I am so sick of hearing about this final book in the series. I’m proud to say I’ve never been taken in by the hoopla enough to actually go out and buy one of these novels. I’ve never watched any of the movies — nor do I have any desire to do so. When this many people enjoy a novel/film as much as they appear to enjoy this, it’s a sure, indelible sign that its worthless tripe. How can I say these things without having seen the movies or reading any of the novels? I don’t need to eat trash out of a garbage can to know its bad for me.”
Posted by J Hillenburg

First, shame on MSNBC.com for even posting such a garbage comment. Obviously the people that came to this story were interested, so why waste their time offering up the pointless drivel of someone who hasn’t read a single book or seen a single movie. Someone who is slamming the quality of the books simply because everyone else likes them?

Well J Hillenburg….The Harry Potter series will probably go down as one of the great literary works of our time. It’s a fantastic read for children and adults alike, and the movies are equally as enjoyable.

I finished the book in a little over 14 hours I figure. I ran through it to keep from finding a spoiler accidentally and I think it was well worth it. I can’t imagine what brings people to say such ridiculous things about something they have absolutely no knowledge of.

Thoughts?

After a marathon reading session, the Deathly Hallows, along with Harry Potters adventure in general, has ended. Turning the last few pages was bitter sweet, realizing that I had been enjoying the stories so long. I am sure I will pick them up in a few years a read them again, but for now, I am leaving Harry and my thoughts with you.

This is a fast paced book. Even in the sections of waiting, wondering and planning, Rowling never loses your attention. In the words of Mad-Eye Moody, “Constant Vigilance!” There is no part of this book, save the last chapter, that is a peaceful read. There is so much tension, so many pursuers, and enough branches of the story to keep your mind wildly wandering from character to character trying to keep up with who is where and what is happening to whom.

Our hero and his trusty companions are the very heart of this book. The book begins and ends with Harry, Ron and Hermoine. There are a few segments of focus on single character, but the heart revolves around the friends who began this adventure 7 school years ago.

All of the character development and complexity becomes vividly clear. Rowling makes great use of previous plot devices to bring the heart of the character’s past experiences into view. Those you love are scattered in doubt and those you doubt are bathed in clarity.

I don’t want to discuss this much further today, I will give those I know who are reading time to catch up, so we can discuss the events further. If you are a fan, you can’t miss this book.

It’s almost like it’s Potter’s eve. Well, maybe not for a few days, but I thought I would break the tech train long enough to share a guilty pleasure. I love the Harry Potter books, and the movies. After recently seeing The Order of the Phoenix, which I highly recommend, I started reading The Half Blood Prince again, just to make sure I was ready for the final installment.

So in the wake of the 5th movie and days before the final book I thought I would share my few points of Harry Potter Wisdom/Speculation on the world.

I won’t bother catching you up on the story so far, if you are reading this, you are obviously a fan and know what’s happened up to this point. What I will do is address some of the events and happenings and what I think they mean. If you have not read The Half Blood Prince or read/seen The Order of the Phoenix, don’t tread on…

Why Snape Is Good
What is that you say? He killed Dumbledore in the last book? He was attacking Harry Potter? One plot device of any good book is misdirection and if anyone is misunderstood, it’s Professor Snape.

Since the beginning we have been told that Snape used to be a death eater. We know he was bad, but we also know that Dumbledore has came to his defense countless times and stated that he trusts him implicitly.

A few points from the story stand out to me that support this case, and I will hit them one by one. Oclumency is called out in The Order of the Phoenix. The Pensieve is a key part of two previous books. There is definitely a precedent for knowing what someone thinks and seeing their experiences first hand.

I am sure Dumbledore isn’t taking Snape for his word, I am sure he has proof. Besides that point, my theory is this: In The Order of the Phoenix, after the OWL tests, James, Sirius & crew go out to the lake. At this point, it’s well established that Snape despised them, yet he followed them out nonetheless. When thinking about this, only one thing occurred to me. Snape had to have been following Lilly Potter. He must have been in love with her.

This would clearly explain two things. Dumbledore trusts that Snape hates Voldemort because he knows (because of the previous stated methods) that he harbors major resentment for Voldemort killing Lilly Potter. Secondly, it explains why even though Snape despises the smaller incarnation of James Potter walking around Hogwarts, he can’t hurt him because he is a part of Lilly.

Why Dumbledore is NOT Dead
I know! We saw his funeral and his painting was in the headmaster’s quarters! Yep, the second one stumped me for quite awhile. First let me explain how & why he died. Again, misdirection is king, but in this case, it was misinformation. Voldemort, while much bolder, still operates mostly in hiding because he knows, and was reminded in the end of The Order of the Phoenix, that he can’t just bowl over Dumbledore. In order for him to move around freely and obviously, he has to have no fear. He seems to only fear Dumbledore.

My theory goes into two tangents here. The first is that he isn’t dead. J.K. Rowling is notorious for building a theme during the book, and using it as a vital piece of a conclusion to the story. A perfect example is the Patronus Charm that Remus Lupin taught Harry. In the 6th book, Harry spends his year learning unspoken spells. He concentrates on casting spells without verbal notice, yet it never surfaces as a use. My first theory centers around Snape not actually casting Avada Kedavra (the killing curse), but casting something entirely different instead. Hiding the fictional death of Dumbledore.

This theory breaks down in one significant place, and that is where Dumbledore’s visage appears in the painting in the headmaster’s quarters in the end. This one required some thought, but I have come to this conclusion. Dumbledore’s burnt and nearly dead arm in the 6th book is hardly explained. It’s my conclusion that while searching for the remaining horcruxes that Voldemort used to obtain immortality, Dumbledore destroyed one of Voldemort’s and created one of his own. Allowing him to stage his death to not only embolden Voldemort as mentioned earlier, but seal Voldemort’s trust of Snape. From here on out I think Snape is going to be a very primary character. He took a lesser role in the last few books, I think this is where he will truly shine, and the little dark boy with so much hate, will grow up to be the savior of Harry Potter and the one who plays the must crucial role in Harry’s destruction of Voldemort.

I know it goes against the grain, but I see Snape as being the true tragic hero of the Harry Potter series. Your thoughts?