Death as a Plot Device in Harry Potter |
 Mar 26 2008, 05:46 PM
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Grand Pooh-Bah of the Poking Sticks Emporium  Posts: 7,181 Joined: 3:53pm January 4, 2008 Location: Fine-tuning her Spambot Magnet    |
Death is very much a pervasive theme throughout the HP series. From early on, we learn about Harry, the boy who lived; the boy who was orphaned and went to live with his aunt and uncle. I wanted to dedicate this thread to the theme of death; it's different aspects; how it affects and how it is perceived by the different characters in the books; and how this premise seems to enthrall readers of all ages.
How has this very real theme affected you as a reader? Has it broadened your scope; do you find yourself imagining how it will affect you? Is the theme of death as a plot device warranted in a children's book? Will children understand it? Are there similarities between how death is portrayed in the HP series and between other books which have been published; comparisons with authors. Did Rowling purposefully choose this topic as a center point since this was something she was dealing with in her own life at the time she began writing the HP series? How has this theme enriched your understanding and enjoyment of the HP books; has it changed your life in any way? Do you find that you compare yourself to the characters and what they go through? Parents; how has the theme of death affected you; has this opened communication with your own children; I am sure their curiosity will have brought up many questions. Death affects each and every character in the book; either directly or indirectly; just as it affects those of us in the very real Muggle world. These are just some proposed questions and food for thought if you will. Please feel free to contribute anything that I might have inadvertently omitted in my opening post. You are more than welcome to bring in your own opinions, queries, and of course complaints as well. This post has been edited by lirene: Mar 26 2008, 05:51 PM --------------------  |
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) and she brought up an interesting point, one which I've encountered here in various threads. Do any of you believe that Rowling belittled the concept of death in the series? 
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