After last week’s epic post (‘epic’ in length rather than in value of subject matter, I have to think, because few readers were moved to respond!) on the William Penn epigraph, I promised myself I would tackle the Aeschylus piece from The Libation Bearers that precedes it. This will be relatively brief (!) but, I hope, thought provoking. Greek drama is a little more along my lines of thought and study than late seventeenth century aphorism and epigram collections, if not by much. [Read more…]
Question About Fidelius Charm
September 12, 2008 by 55 Comments
I received a list of questions this morning from a reader in Germany, Bernhard Nowak. Herr Nowak was disappointed in what he felt was the inconsistency of Deathly Hallows with the previous books of the series and Ms. Rowling’s comments on her web site. He wrote a polite letter to Christopher Little, Ms. Rowling’s literary agent, and to Bloomsbury, in which letter he detailed ten specific points that he thought didn’t line up, points that the Continuity Editor, if not Ms. Rowling herself, should have caught.
He has not received a response. Having just finished reading my The Deathly Hallows Lectures in which I discuss the questions I would ask Ms. Rowling in an interview, he sent his questions to me on the unlikely chance Ms. Rowling and I ever have tea.
I post the best of Herr Nowak’s ten questions here, one about the Fidelius Charm, with his permission. Is this a continuity gaffe? Can it be explained logically within canon? Or do we need an ex machina explanation? What, for example, does the inability of Death Eaters to enter 12 Grimmauld Place in Deathly Hallows tell us about the continuing effect of the Fidelius Charm? Are they only there because Harry and friends continuously break the Name Taboo?
Herr Nowak’s question for your consideration: [Read more…]
“Why is Fred Called ‘Rodent’?”
August 11, 2008 by 10 Comments
“Hi, John, this is Don from Portland, first time caller, long time reader, big ditto head, especially on the alchemy. Loved Finding God in Harry Potter and gave it to my church lady neighbor.”
Welcome , Don. Thanks for joining us. What’s your Deathly Hallows question for the Hogwarts Professor?
“Well, I’m trying to figure out why on the PotterWatch broadcast in Chapter 22, ‘The Deathly Hallows,’ ‘River’ Jordan calls Fred ‘Rodent’ instead of ‘Rapier.’ What’s up with that? I’m guessing it has something to do with his death in the Battle of Hogwarts. Am I close?”
Great question, Don. Let’s talk about that broadcast and the chapter it is in: [Read more…]
Should She or Shouldn’t She? Why Ms. Rowling Won’t Shut Up — and Why That is a Good Thing
December 18, 2007 by 18 Comments
Michael Gambon: The Perfect Dumbledore?
December 16, 2007 by 47 Comments
Wonderful conversation going on over at Sword of Gryffindor about the latest revelations about the actor who plays Albus Dumbledore in the movies and the actor who turned down the part.
I haven’t read any of the combox comments except those at the linked articles and they are what you’d expect, namely, fans wanting to see Dumbledore blasted from the Astronomy Tower by Severus Snape in the Half-Blood Prince film (a sentiment I first read on the blog of an Orthodox priest and friend back in 2005). Folks really don’t like Michael Gambon.
Which is too bad. Post Deathly Hallows, I’m thinking he was a brilliant choice for the part. [Read more…]
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