I totally forgot that key to Occlumency being grief. Wow!
Heh. Not me. I need my Emo!Snape canon!
I have to admit this chapter did nothing for me. But maybe it was just my Slytherin-style Occlumency making me heartless. The whole "I shall bury him by hand so we can have a cliche burial scene because it's better than magic" seemed contrived.
It is, but it's really nicely written once you get beyond the annoyance factor caused by Dobby's presence in the previous chapter.
It remind me very much of another, much better passage from Queen's Play by Dorothy Dunnett. At the emotional climax of the novel, Lymond digs a grave for someone who has died. But the moment is layed with irony and sorrow due to Lymond's complicated relationship with the person... and... well, trust me. It's a lot better.
Also, I think it takes about half a page for the actual digging, compared to three pages in DH. And nobody gives him nobility points for it. They only subtract a few asshole bastard points.
I keep thinking that the whole elf-human relationship is a lot like the way we relate to pets. Elves are like talking dogs. Dogs are definitely property--but property that should be treated well. Dogs are extremely loyal, like elves. They like to do "jobs." They will mourn if separated from their masters.
And, when they die, most people will dig a grave for them (unless they live in an apartment and have no access to a yard).
So, Dobby's death is like Old Yeller (I assume... I've never actually read or seen Old Yeller). But there are any number of stories where a dog nobly gives his life to save his master. The emotional impact is always very strong.
It feels like it gets all its meaning for what that epitaph would mean on the grave of a black ex-slave.
You know, you're right about that. Or maybe what it might be to a Roman slave--as they could attain their freedom and it really meant something when they did. It wasn't as good as being a citizen, but it was a definite step up and therefore something you'd want on your epitaph.
I wonder what Harry would have put on that grave if Dobby hadn't saved his life? "Here Lies Dobby: Wow, He Was an Annoying Sycophant."
Also, wtf with the holly wand having power over any wand Voldemort carried? I call total foul on that one. That's ridiculous.
I know. It's one of those things people tend to forget--because there's no way to take it seriously.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-10-20 04:28 pm (UTC)Heh. Not me. I need my Emo!Snape canon!
I have to admit this chapter did nothing for me. But maybe it was just my Slytherin-style Occlumency making me heartless. The whole "I shall bury him by hand so we can have a cliche burial scene because it's better than magic" seemed contrived.
It is, but it's really nicely written once you get beyond the annoyance factor caused by Dobby's presence in the previous chapter.
It remind me very much of another, much better passage from Queen's Play by Dorothy Dunnett. At the emotional climax of the novel, Lymond digs a grave for someone who has died. But the moment is layed with irony and sorrow due to Lymond's complicated relationship with the person... and... well, trust me. It's a lot better.
Also, I think it takes about half a page for the actual digging, compared to three pages in DH. And nobody gives him nobility points for it. They only subtract a few asshole bastard points.
I keep thinking that the whole elf-human relationship is a lot like the way we relate to pets. Elves are like talking dogs. Dogs are definitely property--but property that should be treated well. Dogs are extremely loyal, like elves. They like to do "jobs." They will mourn if separated from their masters.
And, when they die, most people will dig a grave for them (unless they live in an apartment and have no access to a yard).
So, Dobby's death is like Old Yeller (I assume... I've never actually read or seen Old Yeller). But there are any number of stories where a dog nobly gives his life to save his master. The emotional impact is always very strong.
It feels like it gets all its meaning for what that epitaph would mean on the grave of a black ex-slave.
You know, you're right about that. Or maybe what it might be to a Roman slave--as they could attain their freedom and it really meant something when they did. It wasn't as good as being a citizen, but it was a definite step up and therefore something you'd want on your epitaph.
I wonder what Harry would have put on that grave if Dobby hadn't saved his life? "Here Lies Dobby: Wow, He Was an Annoying Sycophant."
Also, wtf with the holly wand having power over any wand Voldemort carried? I call total foul on that one. That's ridiculous.
I know. It's one of those things people tend to forget--because there's no way to take it seriously.