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Harry Potter: Profundity and Humor
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From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 15:56:51 -0600
Kris Adams Wendt pointed out the profound statement in "HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban" beginning "You think the dead we love ever truly leave us?" (HP 3: U.S. p427). I, too, continue to be moved by that section and by others about life, love, and death. These passages and the one about helping to uncover the truth (p425) were said by Professor Dumbledore. His wise words appear near the conclusion of each book so far. In "HP and the Sorcerer's Stone" Dumbledore introduced his understanding of Truth: "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." (HP 1: U.S. p298). Dumbledore refers to Choices in a couple of important passages. "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (HP 2: U.S. p333) Dumbledore expressed this idea earlier in a different way in "HP and the Sorcerer's Stone" when he awarded ten points to Neville Longbottom for his courage. "There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemines, but just as much to stand up to our friends." (HP 1 U.S. p.306) Although most readers seem to talk about other elements in the HP books, I think the core of Rowling's first three might be in brief passages such as these. Which passages particularly moved you as a reader?
On the other hand, do readers remember how funny Rowling is? She's a clever writer, and her books are very humorous. I remember how the eight-year-old to whom I read the first and second books was amused by the humorous elements. Without going back through each books, I can't recall all of the places where we laughed together, but several come to mind today: the name of Diagon Alley; Owls and Howlers; the selection and purchase of wands & textbooks; characters such as Moaning Myrtle, Nearly Headless Nick, and Dobby; Mrs. Weasley's hand-knit sweaters; and the self-proclaimed celebrity of Professor Lockhart. Knowing that humor is quirky and quite personal, which details or characters made you laugh?
Ginny Moore Kruse (gmkruse at ccbc.education.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education (www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/) University of Wisconsin - Madison
Received on Sat 27 Nov 1999 03:56:51 PM CST
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 15:56:51 -0600
Kris Adams Wendt pointed out the profound statement in "HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban" beginning "You think the dead we love ever truly leave us?" (HP 3: U.S. p427). I, too, continue to be moved by that section and by others about life, love, and death. These passages and the one about helping to uncover the truth (p425) were said by Professor Dumbledore. His wise words appear near the conclusion of each book so far. In "HP and the Sorcerer's Stone" Dumbledore introduced his understanding of Truth: "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." (HP 1: U.S. p298). Dumbledore refers to Choices in a couple of important passages. "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (HP 2: U.S. p333) Dumbledore expressed this idea earlier in a different way in "HP and the Sorcerer's Stone" when he awarded ten points to Neville Longbottom for his courage. "There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemines, but just as much to stand up to our friends." (HP 1 U.S. p.306) Although most readers seem to talk about other elements in the HP books, I think the core of Rowling's first three might be in brief passages such as these. Which passages particularly moved you as a reader?
On the other hand, do readers remember how funny Rowling is? She's a clever writer, and her books are very humorous. I remember how the eight-year-old to whom I read the first and second books was amused by the humorous elements. Without going back through each books, I can't recall all of the places where we laughed together, but several come to mind today: the name of Diagon Alley; Owls and Howlers; the selection and purchase of wands & textbooks; characters such as Moaning Myrtle, Nearly Headless Nick, and Dobby; Mrs. Weasley's hand-knit sweaters; and the self-proclaimed celebrity of Professor Lockhart. Knowing that humor is quirky and quite personal, which details or characters made you laugh?
Ginny Moore Kruse (gmkruse at ccbc.education.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education (www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/) University of Wisconsin - Madison
Received on Sat 27 Nov 1999 03:56:51 PM CST
