Kreacher quoting Regulus raises an interesting point...
Legolas Send a noteboard - 06/12/2010 08:33:02 PM
"For years he talked of the Dark Lord, who was going to bring the wizards out of hiding to rule the Muggles and the Muggle-borns."
It's the "hiding" part that interests me. I remember that the creation of the international wizarding agreement of secrecy (whatever the official name is) in the sixteenth or seventeenth century is a big deal, and that makes sense when you think about it. But while the wizarding community does indeed try to keep Muggles from learning about them, it's rare that they sound scared or oppressed about it - they generally give the impression that they could easily dominate the Muggles if they wanted to, but they don't. An impression confirmed in the second part of that line. The "hiding" part is, as far as I know, the first place where the Death Eater ideology is presented as primarily defensive, an attempt to end a perceived injustice against the wizarding community. We get a second not much later with the ridiculous theory of Muggle-born wizards having "stolen" the magic of pureborns. It's not difficult to read this as yet another reference to Nazi Germany and their way of rapidly going from "the Jews did us an injustice" to "let's hunt them down".
Whether that plan is even remotely realistic is a different question. Intentionally or not, Rowling's numbers add up to a British wizarding community numbering in the low tens of thousands, if not even less - less than half a percent of the British population. Wizards certainly have significant advantages, but all the same, Voldemort can't hope to have a fighting force of more than a few hundred men at best, which seem like extremely long odds against the British armed forces.
It's the "hiding" part that interests me. I remember that the creation of the international wizarding agreement of secrecy (whatever the official name is) in the sixteenth or seventeenth century is a big deal, and that makes sense when you think about it. But while the wizarding community does indeed try to keep Muggles from learning about them, it's rare that they sound scared or oppressed about it - they generally give the impression that they could easily dominate the Muggles if they wanted to, but they don't. An impression confirmed in the second part of that line. The "hiding" part is, as far as I know, the first place where the Death Eater ideology is presented as primarily defensive, an attempt to end a perceived injustice against the wizarding community. We get a second not much later with the ridiculous theory of Muggle-born wizards having "stolen" the magic of pureborns. It's not difficult to read this as yet another reference to Nazi Germany and their way of rapidly going from "the Jews did us an injustice" to "let's hunt them down".
Whether that plan is even remotely realistic is a different question. Intentionally or not, Rowling's numbers add up to a British wizarding community numbering in the low tens of thousands, if not even less - less than half a percent of the British population. Wizards certainly have significant advantages, but all the same, Voldemort can't hope to have a fighting force of more than a few hundred men at best, which seem like extremely long odds against the British armed forces.
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book 7 - The Deathly Hallows
24/11/2010 07:47:44 PM
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Suggestions - tell us what we could do better for this final discussion.
24/11/2010 07:48:22 PM
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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
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Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
04/12/2010 03:45:24 PM
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Re: Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
04/12/2010 10:33:03 PM
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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
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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
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Chapters 1-3: The Dark Lord Ascending, In Memorian, The Dursleys Departing.
24/11/2010 07:51:29 PM
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Characters: Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Harry, Dodge, Dumbledore, Skeeter & the Dursleys
24/11/2010 07:52:55 PM
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Snape, Draco, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Ms Burbage, Dumbledore, and the Dursleys.
24/11/2010 11:46:16 PM
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Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
25/11/2010 04:44:36 PM
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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
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other stuff
24/11/2010 11:47:54 PM
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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
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Chapters 4-6: The Seven Potters, The Fallen Warrior, The Ghoul in Pyjamas *NM*
26/11/2010 07:27:53 PM
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Characters: Harry, the Order, Hedwig, Mr & Mrs Tonks, Voldemort, etc
26/11/2010 07:29:48 PM
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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
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Yes, Dumbledore gives a very complex answer about the wand thing
01/12/2010 08:44:57 PM
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Any other thoughts? *NM*
26/11/2010 07:30:49 PM
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Chapters 7-9: The Will of Albus Dumbledore, The Wedding, A Place to Hide
29/11/2010 06:39:52 PM
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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
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The action.
29/11/2010 06:42:10 PM
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Hermione and obliviate.
30/11/2010 02:23:51 PM
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Re: Hermione and obliviate.
30/11/2010 03:24:06 PM
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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
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Kreacher quoting Regulus raises an interesting point...
06/12/2010 08:33:02 PM
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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
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Please, sir, may I have some more? *NM*
29/11/2010 06:44:14 PM
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I love the use of Patronuses (Patroni?) as messengers.
30/11/2010 02:59:04 PM
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Chapters 10-12: Kreacher's Tale, The Bribe, Magic is Might
01/12/2010 11:41:40 PM
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Characters: more of the trio, Kreacher, Mundungus, RAB and Umbridge
01/12/2010 11:42:34 PM
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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
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Seconded. Righteous anger is more fun than whiny angst-anger. *NM*
06/12/2010 09:41:16 PM
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I'm not sure why we're supposed to be surprised about Scrimgeour.
06/12/2010 09:46:27 PM
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Two things about Mafalda Hopkirk.
06/12/2010 09:54:53 PM
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Weaving the plot, the writing, and thematic matters.
01/12/2010 11:43:25 PM
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The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 09:14:21 AM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 02:12:29 PM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 02:35:06 PM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
02/12/2010 04:16:14 PM
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And? And? And? *NM*
01/12/2010 11:43:46 PM
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Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
04/12/2010 10:21:42 PM
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Re: Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
04/12/2010 10:32:17 PM
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Chapters 13-15: The Muggle-Born Registration Commission, The Thief, The Goblin's Revenge *NM*
04/12/2010 11:01:25 AM
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Characters: Ministry members, the trio, Ted, Dean, Dirk, Goblins, Phineas Nigellus
04/12/2010 11:07:57 AM
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Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
04/12/2010 09:59:45 PM
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Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
06/12/2010 10:41:08 PM
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Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
06/12/2010 10:45:17 PM
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Plotting, writing, theming.
04/12/2010 11:08:47 AM
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Apparating and the fidelius charm, some good plotting and the food problem.
04/12/2010 10:01:16 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
04/12/2010 11:10:52 AM
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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
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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
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Chapters 16-18: Godric's Hollow, Bathilda's Secret, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
06/12/2010 09:57:00 PM
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Characters: Harry, Hermione, Bathilda, Dumbledore and others
06/12/2010 09:57:52 PM
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Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:02:13 PM
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Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:14:26 PM
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Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:18:15 PM
- 2014 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:34:15 PM
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Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:36:18 PM
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Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:39:58 PM
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Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
06/12/2010 10:42:27 PM
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I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
07/12/2010 08:47:11 PM
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Re: I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
07/12/2010 08:55:54 PM
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Lights! Camera! Action!
06/12/2010 09:59:52 PM
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But wait! There's more!
06/12/2010 10:00:34 PM
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Chapters 19-21: The Silver Doe, Xenophilius Lovegood, The Tale of the Three Brothers
08/12/2010 08:47:04 PM
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Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lovegood ... and not many more. *NM*
08/12/2010 08:49:28 PM
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Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 12:01:57 AM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 03:04:11 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 08:03:05 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
09/12/2010 11:48:08 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 08:44:01 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 09:00:44 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 09:16:48 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
10/12/2010 09:19:38 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
19/12/2010 06:58:04 PM
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Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
20/12/2010 09:36:17 AM
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What was that again about Hermione not being so good at thinking on her feet?
09/12/2010 07:52:23 PM
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Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
08/12/2010 08:50:53 PM
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Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
09/12/2010 12:04:37 AM
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Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
09/12/2010 03:25:53 PM
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I don't think it works that way. They aren't "used up".
09/12/2010 06:52:29 PM
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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
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They're not so annoying yet, now.
09/12/2010 06:56:46 PM
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Re: They're not so annoying yet, now.
09/12/2010 11:52:02 PM
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Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
- 1746 Views
Re: Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
- 1843 Views
Chapters 22-24: The Deathly Hallows, Malfoy Manor, The Wandmaker.
10/12/2010 09:11:32 PM
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Characters: The Trio, the Malfoys, Dobby, a number of others. *NM*
10/12/2010 09:12:30 PM
- 907 Views
Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
10/12/2010 11:23:09 PM
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Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
13/12/2010 08:47:27 PM
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Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
13/12/2010 09:26:58 PM
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On a side note about wands
14/12/2010 06:05:13 PM
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Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
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Re: Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
- 1850 Views
Plot, writing, themes. *NM*
10/12/2010 09:13:37 PM
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An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
10/12/2010 11:24:05 PM
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Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
20/12/2010 01:00:38 PM
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Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
20/12/2010 07:32:48 PM
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Chapters 25-27: Shell Cottage, Gringotts, The Final Hiding Place
13/12/2010 10:03:15 PM
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Characters *NM*
13/12/2010 10:03:29 PM
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Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 05:16:51 PM
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Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:04:09 PM
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Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:19:04 PM
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Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:37:00 PM
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Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
14/12/2010 10:45:36 PM
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Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
20/12/2010 03:33:49 PM
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Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
20/12/2010 07:35:51 PM
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Plot, action, etc. *NM*
13/12/2010 10:04:02 PM
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red herring, fidelius charm information and full circle.
14/12/2010 05:17:11 PM
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Other things. *NM*
13/12/2010 10:04:23 PM
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Film stuff
14/12/2010 05:17:18 PM
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Excellent point.
14/12/2010 10:05:01 PM
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Re: Excellent point.
14/12/2010 10:09:53 PM
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Sometimes Rowling's parallels are far too simplistic and unsophisticated.
20/12/2010 03:39:50 PM
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Chapters 28-30: The Missing Mirror, The Lost Diadem, The Sacking of Severus Snape *NM*
16/12/2010 01:07:20 PM
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Characters *NM*
16/12/2010 01:07:31 PM
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Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
16/12/2010 11:52:46 PM
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Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
20/12/2010 05:16:13 PM
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Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
20/12/2010 11:02:45 PM
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Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
26/12/2010 08:43:03 PM
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Writing, action, plot, theme, yadda yadda yadda. *NM*
16/12/2010 01:08:04 PM
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red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
16/12/2010 11:53:56 PM
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Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
20/12/2010 05:38:46 PM
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Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
20/12/2010 11:06:01 PM
- 1922 Views
Other things. *NM*
16/12/2010 01:08:25 PM
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Chapters 31-33: The Battle for Hogwarts, The Elder Wand, The Prince's Tale
19/12/2010 07:56:39 PM
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Characters: far too many to mention.
19/12/2010 07:58:41 PM
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Too many to mention, indeed.
20/12/2010 09:30:54 AM
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The action, and plot advancement and completion.
19/12/2010 08:00:09 PM
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memories, cinematic moments and parallels.
20/12/2010 09:32:27 AM
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Chapters 34-36: The Forest Again, King's Cross, The Flaw in the Plan
20/12/2010 07:31:27 PM
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Characters: Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, et al.
20/12/2010 07:32:15 PM
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Harry, Dumbledore, Neville, the Malfoys, Molly and Voldemort
20/12/2010 11:28:19 PM
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Tying up the plot.
20/12/2010 07:33:00 PM
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Narnia, blood, revenge of the downtrodden, sacrifice, plans and souls
20/12/2010 11:29:44 PM
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Epilogue: the future.
20/12/2010 07:35:06 PM
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