Blog Post #3

The first time I finished reading the series was very emotional because I grew up reading the Harry Potter series and it was finally coming to an end. I hated the epilogue because it made the finality of the series absolute. I had hoped that J.K. Rowling would decide to write more books about Harry Potter and his friends even though she said that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was the last one and the epilogue seemed to eliminate that possibility.

Also, the first time I read “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” I was a bit disappointed. The beginning dragged too much in my opinion and I thought that the Horcruxes were destroyed at the end end of the book too quickly and too easily. However, each time I read the seventh book again, I enjoy it even more. I love how Rowling constantly sprinkles references to the other books throughout the last one, creating a little sense of nostalgia. Also, the writing in the last book is impeccable: She ties up so many loose ends extremely neatly.

A poignant scene is when Ron returns and destroys the first Horcrux. Although I was extremely hurt that Rowling had him desert the trio, his return allowed him to redeem himself. That scene felt symbolic for Ron, like he was destroying his fears and jealousy. The other most poignant part of the series is when Snape says to Harry right before he dies, “Look at me” because he wants to see Lily’s eyes one last time. Every time I read that scene, it is just so heart wrenching.

My feelings toward Dumbledore do not change immensely after the completion of the series. He was a brilliant man who always had a plan. It was already evident from the beginning that Dumbledore entrusted a lot of faith in Harry in doing difficult and dangerous things and that Dumbledore always seemed to be orchestrating it behind the scenes. So, I never really felt betrayed by Dumbledore, although Harry had a lot of anger toward him. Also, his companionship with Grindewald does not affect my views of him. Everyone has secrets that they would prefer remained hidden or things that they have done that they are not proud of. But Dumbledore learned from his mistakes of his youth and by the end of his life he grew to be an extremely respectable man.

I never really hated Snape, even though he could be an unlikeable character, because I had a feeling he was actually on the Order's side. By the end of the seventh book he became one of my favorite characters because of his complexity. He had a difficult life and he is flawed in many ways, but in the end, he is a good character. He never gets the respect or gratitude that he deserves, and Snape does not even seek it. He feels remorse for his past wrongs, and by being a spy for the Order of the Phoenix, he works to be a better man every day. Snape puts himself in a very difficult and dangerous situation for Lily, and for the greater good.

My feelings toward the trio remain the same throughout the series. Ron has always been my favorite character out of the trio and he still is at the end of the series. Although they each grow tremendously throughout the books, their growths seem natural and they all still remain true to themselves. I was disappointed in Ron for leaving Harry and Hermione in the seventh book, but as I said, I felt that he redeemed himself.

The Harry Potter series made a huge impact culturally—it was a cultural phenomenon that affected both children and adults. Many places tried to ban the books because of the magical content, which I thought was absolutely ridiculous. J.K. Rowling isn't trying to turn everyone into witches and wizards, rather she is writing an extremely imaginative story. Harry Potter is a story about love, death, friendship and courage. It also provides a social commentary on politics, prejudice, war and social injustice that is very enlightening. I feel that Harry Potter defines my generation, as we grew up with the series.