Episode #15: Harry Potter and Philosophy
For more information, check out Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts
And the news:
- Chilean fanfic author publishes first original novel.
- A Norwich, CT newspaper wants your thoughts on how Harry Potter will end.
- Check out the latest Movie 5 action figures.
- MTV, EW and Premiere all include Movie 5 on 2007’s “must-see” list of movies.
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January 11th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Hey Guys -
I haven’t finished catching up on all the podcasts I missed over the holidays, but I did have one question/suggestion for you guys, if you’re looking for something to talk about.
What about Ginny’s role in all this? She would appear to be Harry’s destined love interest, in a series in which love is a major theme. JKR also seems to have gone out of her way to contrast Ginny & Harry’s functional, supportive relationship with Harry’s more superficial crush on Cho and Ginny’s serial flirtations. And when Dumbledore died, it was Ginny who came to Harry’s side – not exactly a throw-away scene. He also saved her life once – from Tom Riddle.
I just can’t believe that Ginny is superficial to the plot. Any brilliant insights into what happens with Ginny in Book 7? (If you have time, of course!)
January 11th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Janice- Good to hear from you again. I was actually thinking about Ginny and the role she has played and will play in the books. I seem to remember in OoTP when Harry was having all the issues with Voldemort possessing him and Ginny basically said, “you aren’t the only one who ever had Voldemort Possess you.” I think this scene exemplifies the understanding that Ginny has for Harry and his role in this story. This is again brought up twice in HBP when the Narrator notes that Ginny understood Harry perfectly (when she hugged/kissed him after winning the Quiddich Cup in his absence and right after Dumbledore’s funeral when she knew he was going to break up with her).
Maybe I should shut up now in case Greg and I do decide to discuss this topic, but I do agree with you that the Ginny relationship is definitely not insignificant in the series. I actually remember thinking from Book 1 (when Ginny was at the Hogwarts express seeing her brothers off) that she and Harry would end up together.
My only hesitation with this line of thought is that Harry broke up with Ginny at the end of book 6 and he won’t be taking her along on the horcrux hunt. Because we aren’t sure whether Harry will be living through book 7, there is no way to know whether they will ever get back together in any form.
I’m done for now.
January 12th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr012=3nfdtzwdx2.app7a&page=NewsArticle&id=8621&news_iv_ctrl=1021
I recommend this article for a fuller yet basic take on how the Harry Potter series relates to philosophy. I can always rely on the Ayn Rand Institute to give a clear and simple take on any given issue. I’d like to hear what you both think of it.
January 17th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
About Ginnys role in the Harry Potter series I think we will be facing the usual thing about Harry saving someone who has been kidnapped because like we already saw Harry broke up with her because he tough Voldemort would choose her as a bait….wrong thing to do…..I think she will be dying in the last book… bye guys…