Death

     Death is an immensely important topic that comes up many different times throughout this book.  A very big part of it is "living after death" or the contributions if you will of a person after they have already died as well as keeping faith in them.  There is also the whole idea of mastering death.  Mastering death comes up with both Voldemort as well as the nicer characters in the book.

     The biggest example of a character contributing to the story, even after death was Dumbledore.  He gave Harry the quest to find and destroy all of the horcruxes that were created by Voldemort.  Harry had to keep faith in Dumbledore that he was correct and that Dumbledore knew what he was doing.  Dumbledore's impact was felt way after his death in the form of Harry's quest and he was vital, maybe even more so than Harry in the downfall of Voldemort.  He may have made some mistakes in his life, but he was devoted to stopping the dark arts and was a vital character, even in death.  He even gives Harry some vital advice after he is dead and he got respect from most of the other characters.

     Dumbledore isn't the only character that played a big role after death though.  Surprisingly, Lily Potter, Harry's mom, played a huge role in this book.  Lily is the reason that Snape was such a good character in this book.  Without her influence and his continued love of her, Snape would never have been the hero that he was.  If there weren't this tie between Lily and Snape, none of the plans that Dumbledore created would have worked and Voldemort would have stomped all over the wizardry world.  Another key character after death was Dobby the house elf.  Digging Dobby's grave is a key time for Harry.  It helps him realize how foolish he was being by doubting Dumbledore and helped him get his head straight.  The emotional shock of Dobby dying helped push Harry back into the right frame of mind which was key to the story.

     When Harry and Hermione went to Godric's Hollow, Harry saw what was written on his parents tombstones which disgusted him. The tombstones said "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,".  This reminded Harry of Voldemort's obsession of Mastering Death.  I think he is not correct here and that he unfairly made this connection.

     In Harry's parents case, mastering death meant that death was just the next step.  The only way to truly defeat death is to not dread it or try to resurrect those who have been stolen by it, but is to continue to love those that have passed away, even if they aren't alive.

     In Voldemort's case however, mastering death meant becoming immortal.  He tried to achieve this by creating horcruxes and obtaining the Elder Wand (Deathstick, Wand of Destiny, etc.), one of the hollows.  Death and Dumbledore were the only two things that Voldemort was afraid of.

     Death is a very important topic to follow in this book.

For the greater good

     "We sieze control FOR THE GREATER GOOD."  Dumbledore says this in a letter to Grinewald.  Although he was young, he did believe this.  That phrase can be the most scary thing that you will ever hear.  If Taking over the muggle world is for the greater good, I am highly disturbed.  What is quite so good about ruling over other beings.  People that can use magic are just like people that can't use it but with powers.

      What exactly does for the greater good mean?  Is it for the well being of everyone or is it what you think that is?  My opinion is that the greater good is a benefit that everyon likes.  Some may not agree but I think that killing Osama Bin Laden was for the greater good.  He was a tyrant and nothing bad happened because of it.

       There is one huge flaw in for the greater good.  Bad people think they are doing things for the greater good.  Hitler thought that wiping out the jews was for the greater good.  Was it?  I think that Voldemort Believes what he's doing is for the greater good.  It's all a matter of opinion.  Whether that opinion is good or bad, it is not easy to define what is for the greateer good.

Second Chances

     I think that the importance of second chances comes up often and is an important theme in this book.  We see it in a couple of places and affects a couple of the major characters in this book.  It affects Snape, Dumbledore, and even Draco Malfoy a little later in the book.  Earlier in the series, in the Goblet of Fire, some of the characters speak of Dumbledore and his unusual belief in second chances.

     One glaring example of second chances in this book is Snape.  In his case, Dumbledore gave him a second chance as he believed that Snape, although a former Death Eater, changed.  He became one of the heroes in this book which is interesting because most of us grew to dislike him throughout the books.  Later in this book, we learn that he totally changed and centered his life around protecting Harry after Lord Voldemort killed Harry's mom Lily.  This character change showed us a lot about how Dumbledore is right and that some people do deserve second chances.  It also showed how wise Dumbledore is because Snape was invaluable to Dumbledore throughout the books as a spy against Lord Voldemort and the protector of Harry.  It is interesting how JK Rowling painted Snape as a villain and was hated by Harry throughout the series.

     Later in the book, there is a scene where Harry took what he learned from Dumbledore and put it into action.  When Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Hermione, Ron, and Harry were in the Room of Requirement together, Crabbe or Goyle released Fiendfyre (sorry, I don't remember which).  When this happened, Hermione and Ron were able to escape, but Malfoy was not so lucky.  Despite everything that Malfoy had done to Harry throughout the books, Harry gave him a second chance and saved him.  I think that this really showed the type of character that Harry is and how Dumledore had an amazing influence on the decisions that Harry made.  Would you have saved Malfoy? (NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

     And finally we have Dumbledore.  There is the book The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore written by Rita Skeetter that tests Harry's faith in Albus Dumbledore.  A big question that is brought up at this point in the book is the question of if Harry will give Dumbledore a second chance and try to follow through on what he planned for him.  Harry had to trust Dumbledore and the fact that he knew what he was doing and believe that Dumbledore was able to change from his youth.  Would you have been able to if you were Harry?

(By the way have you guys noticed how quickly Harry seems to forgive people? Example: Ron)

Past and Present

          I've  noticed that there is a lot of talk about Dummbledore's past and what kind of person he truly was.  My question is: does it matter what someones past is or who they are in the present?  Dumbledore is supposed to have some dark past filled with secrets and lies.  Even if that is what he was, think about  who he became.  Dumbledore was a wise and brilliant man.  It doesn't matter if someone was a bad person back in the day.  If they are now someone who can tell you wrong from right and control themselves that is who you are supposed to judge.

          Take Robert Downey Jr. for example.  He used to be a raging addict and now he has been clean for a number of years.  It's easy to do bad things in your life and it's also easy  to do good things in your life.  The part that is difficult is redeeming yourself after you've done bad things.  In order to judge someone, no one should look at who the person was in the past.  The person must be judged now that they are a brand new person.

          Snape was always considered a bad character in the Harry Potter book series, and then you learn about his past.  This does contradict my earlier statements and I realize that.  If you look at someone and think they are a bad person their past should also be checked out.  To be fair, I have to say that past can trump present.  Snape had every right to be resenful of Harry.  His father was a jerk to him and stole his one true love on top of that.  So all in all, it can be ufair to judge someone based on theirpast but if that past has hardships, I believe second chances are due.