8) The theme of Choice and Chance:
Choice
His last act of heroism, however, saves his life. He meets Dumbledore again in death, and Dumbledore answers many of his questions. He is given the choice to say or to go back and he chooses to go back and fight. It is all over between Harry and Voldemort with just one spell. Harry is left alive the true master of the Hollows and Voldemort is killed for good.
Voldemort chose not to. Hermione and Ron began as friends; but, by "taking the blows," found an often misunderstood and neglected pathway to love — service. Readers never saw the development and explanation of either the "veil room," or the "love door" in the ministry; but, there is no doubt that the
author felt it is of greater significance and power than almost any other.
Harry truly became "his mother's son" as his choices led him to the same level: "no greater love has a man than he who would give his life for a friend." Friendship, on the other hand, is a type of interpersonal relationship which is not found exclusively among humans; but, is shared with animals with rich intelligence, such as the higher mammals and some birds. Individuals in a friendship relationship, will seek out each other's company and exhibit mutually.
For the first time ever, Harry is totally at loose ends in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows he's lost the guiding lights he had in earlier books (Dumbledore, Sirius). And with no one around to tell him what to do, he's got to make his own decisions. However, he isn't just any normal seventeen-year-old boy deciding ordinary things like which college to go to or which car to save up for. No, instead, Harry's decisions basically determine the fate of the world. And trust us, we're glad we're not in his shoes… the pressure to do the right thing is incredible! Harry's an adult for the first time here, and he's learned that he's fully responsible for all the choices he makes and that these decisions will affect everyone else in the world. All of the characters not just Harry – are absolutely defined by their choices throughout the series. And all of them are given a chance at redemption through these decisions even those who we may write off as evil. Even Voldemort, in the end, is given a chance at redemption, but which he refuses. The theme of Choice was conscious on Rowling's part. The author has described "choices" as a recurrent theme in the books. "It's our choices," she had Dumbledore say, "that show what we truly are, far more
than our abilities." It would be naive to claim that an individual's life is completely an act of voluntary choice. Abilities, intellect, looks, environment
and the like are all well beyond personal choice, and often present difficulties — sometimes catastrophic. Harry didn't choose to be made an orphan; that, along with being shackled to the fragment of Voldemort's soul, was inflicted
upon him. He didn't choose to live with his "bigoted" and abusive aunt and uncle; or, for that matter, even to have wizard abilities. In fact, pretty much all of the "driving force" behind his early life's agenda was set for him by the choices of others. He was often punished for, essentially, "being."
To combat the expected feelings of futility, the author let him discover, early on, the effect his choices could have on his life's outcome. While there were several other options, the sorting hat put him in Gryffindor, largely due to his personal choice. Harry's similarity to Voldemort was pointed out to him several times; but, he was different! And it was because of the fact that his choices were different; choices that he made without knowing their significance. "I think," he told Draco, "that I can decide who the right sort are for myself, thanks." He chose his actions based upon their context to others, and
"greater" good, and not upon "self" aggrandizement or preservation, as is common in the Slytherin house.
Harry had to deal, early, with the choices made by his own father. The author described James as a "spoiled," only child who was "talented, reasonably good looking, and loved... in short, everything Snape didn't have." He wasn't kind to
the outcast Snape, and such actions "have consequences... and we know what they were," she told us. Sirius had a similar issue with Kreacher and produced nearly identical consequences. For whatever reason, however, Harry's choices were not along the same lines as his fathers, even though they could have been! He could have alienated
Moaning Myrtle very easily; but then he wouldn't have received her help in the bath or lake. He could have joined in the teasing of Luna Lovegood; but he
wouldn't have had: her help in the ministry, information about the "veil" or thestrals, found a Horcrux, or, let's face it, escaped from the Dementors. Borrowing Arthur Weasley's statement to Harry: "It was a lucky day for the Potter family" when Harry let Luna make him her friend. Harry's similarity to Regulus Black was made more clear in Hallows, and the choices they both made. Even the choice that Dumbledore pointed out to
Fudge had its fruition in Hallows — he became the man "history recorded who stood aside while Voldemort regained power."
The author showed Voldemort being similar in some ways to both Grindelwald and Dumbledore. In their youth, they all found a predilection toward achievement and academics, and the personal recognition and power they could bring. Only Dumbledore, however, showed the way to take charge of, and improve, one's own shortcomings — he avoided accepting positions which would play to his base nature, and repeatedly turned down offers of political power. He showed the remorse necessary to overcome childhood dalliances.
Something Grindelwald only learned in later years... and Voldemort never did.
Even in the end, the author made it clear that Voldemort still had a redemptive choice; but, of course, "there was no hope possible." It may be human nature that, even when wizards were driven into hiding, instead of looking after each other, they created their own hierarchy and persecuted within their own society. The Weasley's showed us the exception. They had everything the pure-bloods value but choose to totally disregard it. "They value different things and much better things," Rowling says. "They value ingenuity... brain power... and human goodness."
CHANCE Much earlier in the series, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, various characters speak of Dumbledore’s unusual, even extravagant belief in second chances. When people mention this about Dumbledore, they usually mean to imply that he is somehow gullible or imprudent. Harry and Ron refuse to believe that Snape might once have been a Death Eater but has since reformed so Dumbledore’s belief in second chances is simply the explanation for how Dumbledore must have been fooled. In this book, we see in a number of cases how wise Dumbledore really was. Most dramatically, we see how Snape turned his entire life around after he placed Lily Potter in danger, becoming Voldemort’s most trusted servant so that he could spy on him and protect Harry. Snape’s efforts proved indispensable to Harry and Dumbledore time and time again.
Dumbledore remarks casually that “we sort too soon,” meaning that Snape might have been erroneously sorted into Slytherin house as a young man, and implying that his bravery might make him better suited to Gryffindor if only the Sorting Hat could have taken into account how much Snape changed for the better. Finally, we see that Dumbledore is wise enough to see the flaws in Ron’s character and foresee the mistake Ron will make, giving up on Harry when things get too tough and there’s no one to lead Ron or provide for him.
So Dumbledore arranges for Ron’s second chance ahead of time, bequeathing him the Deluminator that will lead Ron back to Harry and Hermione when he’s ready to rise to the occasion. We also see the reason why Dumbledore learns to give second chances when we learn of his true early history. Faced with a sister irreparably damaged in an attack by Muggle boys, and with a father imprisoned for life for attacking those boys, Dumbledore briefly dreams of a world in which wizards rule Muggles for their own good. He quickly repents and spends a lifetime trying to repair his mistake, but he also retains a tolerance for others’ mistakes and a perception that love is a powerful motivator, capable of redeeming a person’s worst misdeeds.
The Sorting Hat finds Harry talented, good mind, and thirsty to prove himself. However, Snape snaps at him - 'Fame isn't everything'. One needs to prove one's worth. Harry reads a newspaper while others read letters from family members.
Harry and Voldemort are alter-egos, aks of each other. In determination, resourcefulness, disrespect for rules - they are similar. Voldemort's power is transferred to Harry when he gave a scar to him. Though their abilities are similar, they are not similar to their choices are different.
"It is not our abilities, it is our choices that make us what we are". Dumbledore to Harry.
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Choice
His last act of heroism, however, saves his life. He meets Dumbledore again in death, and Dumbledore answers many of his questions. He is given the choice to say or to go back and he chooses to go back and fight. It is all over between Harry and Voldemort with just one spell. Harry is left alive the true master of the Hollows and Voldemort is killed for good.
Voldemort chose not to. Hermione and Ron began as friends; but, by "taking the blows," found an often misunderstood and neglected pathway to love — service. Readers never saw the development and explanation of either the "veil room," or the "love door" in the ministry; but, there is no doubt that the
author felt it is of greater significance and power than almost any other.
Harry truly became "his mother's son" as his choices led him to the same level: "no greater love has a man than he who would give his life for a friend." Friendship, on the other hand, is a type of interpersonal relationship which is not found exclusively among humans; but, is shared with animals with rich intelligence, such as the higher mammals and some birds. Individuals in a friendship relationship, will seek out each other's company and exhibit mutually.
For the first time ever, Harry is totally at loose ends in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows he's lost the guiding lights he had in earlier books (Dumbledore, Sirius). And with no one around to tell him what to do, he's got to make his own decisions. However, he isn't just any normal seventeen-year-old boy deciding ordinary things like which college to go to or which car to save up for. No, instead, Harry's decisions basically determine the fate of the world. And trust us, we're glad we're not in his shoes… the pressure to do the right thing is incredible! Harry's an adult for the first time here, and he's learned that he's fully responsible for all the choices he makes and that these decisions will affect everyone else in the world. All of the characters not just Harry – are absolutely defined by their choices throughout the series. And all of them are given a chance at redemption through these decisions even those who we may write off as evil. Even Voldemort, in the end, is given a chance at redemption, but which he refuses. The theme of Choice was conscious on Rowling's part. The author has described "choices" as a recurrent theme in the books. "It's our choices," she had Dumbledore say, "that show what we truly are, far more
than our abilities." It would be naive to claim that an individual's life is completely an act of voluntary choice. Abilities, intellect, looks, environment
and the like are all well beyond personal choice, and often present difficulties — sometimes catastrophic. Harry didn't choose to be made an orphan; that, along with being shackled to the fragment of Voldemort's soul, was inflicted
upon him. He didn't choose to live with his "bigoted" and abusive aunt and uncle; or, for that matter, even to have wizard abilities. In fact, pretty much all of the "driving force" behind his early life's agenda was set for him by the choices of others. He was often punished for, essentially, "being."
To combat the expected feelings of futility, the author let him discover, early on, the effect his choices could have on his life's outcome. While there were several other options, the sorting hat put him in Gryffindor, largely due to his personal choice. Harry's similarity to Voldemort was pointed out to him several times; but, he was different! And it was because of the fact that his choices were different; choices that he made without knowing their significance. "I think," he told Draco, "that I can decide who the right sort are for myself, thanks." He chose his actions based upon their context to others, and
"greater" good, and not upon "self" aggrandizement or preservation, as is common in the Slytherin house.
Harry had to deal, early, with the choices made by his own father. The author described James as a "spoiled," only child who was "talented, reasonably good looking, and loved... in short, everything Snape didn't have." He wasn't kind to
the outcast Snape, and such actions "have consequences... and we know what they were," she told us. Sirius had a similar issue with Kreacher and produced nearly identical consequences. For whatever reason, however, Harry's choices were not along the same lines as his fathers, even though they could have been! He could have alienated
Moaning Myrtle very easily; but then he wouldn't have received her help in the bath or lake. He could have joined in the teasing of Luna Lovegood; but he
wouldn't have had: her help in the ministry, information about the "veil" or thestrals, found a Horcrux, or, let's face it, escaped from the Dementors. Borrowing Arthur Weasley's statement to Harry: "It was a lucky day for the Potter family" when Harry let Luna make him her friend. Harry's similarity to Regulus Black was made more clear in Hallows, and the choices they both made. Even the choice that Dumbledore pointed out to
Fudge had its fruition in Hallows — he became the man "history recorded who stood aside while Voldemort regained power."
The author showed Voldemort being similar in some ways to both Grindelwald and Dumbledore. In their youth, they all found a predilection toward achievement and academics, and the personal recognition and power they could bring. Only Dumbledore, however, showed the way to take charge of, and improve, one's own shortcomings — he avoided accepting positions which would play to his base nature, and repeatedly turned down offers of political power. He showed the remorse necessary to overcome childhood dalliances.
Something Grindelwald only learned in later years... and Voldemort never did.
Even in the end, the author made it clear that Voldemort still had a redemptive choice; but, of course, "there was no hope possible." It may be human nature that, even when wizards were driven into hiding, instead of looking after each other, they created their own hierarchy and persecuted within their own society. The Weasley's showed us the exception. They had everything the pure-bloods value but choose to totally disregard it. "They value different things and much better things," Rowling says. "They value ingenuity... brain power... and human goodness."
CHANCE Much earlier in the series, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, various characters speak of Dumbledore’s unusual, even extravagant belief in second chances. When people mention this about Dumbledore, they usually mean to imply that he is somehow gullible or imprudent. Harry and Ron refuse to believe that Snape might once have been a Death Eater but has since reformed so Dumbledore’s belief in second chances is simply the explanation for how Dumbledore must have been fooled. In this book, we see in a number of cases how wise Dumbledore really was. Most dramatically, we see how Snape turned his entire life around after he placed Lily Potter in danger, becoming Voldemort’s most trusted servant so that he could spy on him and protect Harry. Snape’s efforts proved indispensable to Harry and Dumbledore time and time again.
Dumbledore remarks casually that “we sort too soon,” meaning that Snape might have been erroneously sorted into Slytherin house as a young man, and implying that his bravery might make him better suited to Gryffindor if only the Sorting Hat could have taken into account how much Snape changed for the better. Finally, we see that Dumbledore is wise enough to see the flaws in Ron’s character and foresee the mistake Ron will make, giving up on Harry when things get too tough and there’s no one to lead Ron or provide for him.
So Dumbledore arranges for Ron’s second chance ahead of time, bequeathing him the Deluminator that will lead Ron back to Harry and Hermione when he’s ready to rise to the occasion. We also see the reason why Dumbledore learns to give second chances when we learn of his true early history. Faced with a sister irreparably damaged in an attack by Muggle boys, and with a father imprisoned for life for attacking those boys, Dumbledore briefly dreams of a world in which wizards rule Muggles for their own good. He quickly repents and spends a lifetime trying to repair his mistake, but he also retains a tolerance for others’ mistakes and a perception that love is a powerful motivator, capable of redeeming a person’s worst misdeeds.
The Sorting Hat finds Harry talented, good mind, and thirsty to prove himself. However, Snape snaps at him - 'Fame isn't everything'. One needs to prove one's worth. Harry reads a newspaper while others read letters from family members.
Harry and Voldemort are alter-egos, aks of each other. In determination, resourcefulness, disrespect for rules - they are similar. Voldemort's power is transferred to Harry when he gave a scar to him. Though their abilities are similar, they are not similar to their choices are different.
"It is not our abilities, it is our choices that make us what we are". Dumbledore to Harry.
Go back to the Main Page.
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