The Phoenix

[FrodoFriend]

One of the things I noticed when watching the second movie was that the statue in front of the stairway leading to Dumbledore's office is a phoenix. Now, I remember that in the book it was a gargoyle, and I wondered why they would change such an apparently inconsequential thing.

So I got to thinking about it a little, and I realized that the phoenix could easily be a symbol for much of what happens in the books. The phoenix arises from the ashes, reborn out of destruction. And there's sort of a cycle going on here - Voldemort is defeated and rises again, Harry and Co. arrive at Hogwart's and leave again in the same pattern every year, etc. There are more examples that I won't type out now.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting, and in my opinion this is a key element. Perhaps in the coming books Voldemort will almost win, and only on the brink of destruction will the good guys save the day. Or maybe Harry really is the heir of Gryffindor, thus showing yet another cycle of rebirth.

Any thoughts/further examples of a cyclical nature?

[eowyngirl14]

sorry... I am a bit lost, what are you talking about ?

[crickhollow]

Interesting thoughts, FF...I'll have to mull those over for a while.

[Estel13]

I haven't seen 'Chamber of Secrets' yet. I'll get back to ya on this once I've actually SEEN the movie. Get it together, eowyngirl14!:rolleyes:

[Sylvee Estel]

Wow that makes a lot of sense. Interesting...

[Khamûl]

Or maybe you're just reading too much into a change they made in converting the book to a movie. :p Maybe Dumbledore just wanted a statue of Fawkes outside his office.

[Estel13]

This IS quite possible.:D

[eowyngirl14]

i still have no idea what any of you are babling on about!

Who else is going to hang out a Barnes and Nobles untill midnoght on June 21?

nobody.. okay just me then! I can party by myself!

[Estel13]

I would if I was allowed to! The opperative word here being 'if'. :rolleyes:

[eowyngirl14]

what does opperative mean?

[Celebriel]

Ai, symbolism...metaphors.

How I hate thee.

[Finmandos12]

One of the things I noticed when watching the second movie was that the statue in front of the stairway leading to Dumbledore's office is a phoenix. Now, I remember that in the book it was a gargoyle, and I wondered why they would change such an apparently inconsequential thing.

So I got to thinking about it a little, and I realized that the phoenix could easily be a symbol for much of what happens in the books. The phoenix arises from the ashes, reborn out of destruction. And there's sort of a cycle going on here - Voldemort is defeated and rises again, Harry and Co. arrive at Hogwart's and leave again in the same pattern every year, etc. There are more examples that I won't type out now.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting, and in my opinion this is a key element. Perhaps in the coming books Voldemort will almost win, and only on the brink of destruction will the good guys save the day. Or maybe Harry really is the heir of Gryffindor, thus showing yet another cycle of rebirth.


I doubt that's the reason. The movie's audience wouldn't be able to understand something that deep.:p

[eowyngirl14]

i still don't know what we are talking about- so if someone wants to clue me in i'd understand.....

[FrodoFriend]

Wow, this thread has had some real great, intelligent responses ... :rolleyes:

I just believe that most great books have a deeper meaning as well as good entertainment value. Therefore I am searches for that meaning in HP.

[Estel13]

Wow, this thread has had some real great, intelligent responses.
Well, that's great, coming from someone who's rating is 'Halfwitted'.:rolleyes:

[Gorhiriel]

*blinks* Wow. That's deep. I hadn't thought of that before.

[sun-star]

So I got to thinking about it a little, and I realized that the phoenix could easily be a symbol for much of what happens in the books. The phoenix arises from the ashes, reborn out of destruction. And there's sort of a cycle going on here - Voldemort is defeated and rises again, Harry and Co. arrive at Hogwart's and leave again in the same pattern every year, etc. There are more examples that I won't type out now.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting, and in my opinion this is a key element. Perhaps in the coming books Voldemort will almost win, and only on the brink of destruction will the good guys save the day. Or maybe Harry really is the heir of Gryffindor, thus showing yet another cycle of rebirth

That's an interesting thought. I wonder if Harry himself is something like a phoenix, being "the boy who lived" when everyone expected he would have died. Certainly with the first book's consideration of immortality, and the fact that it seems to be Voldemort's ultimate goal, I think you're probably right in suggesting there is something significant in this. And, of course, we may find out more in the next book, judging by the title, "The Order of the Phoenix" :)

[TinuvielChild]

Originally posted by Estel13
Well, that's great, coming from someone who's rating is 'Halfwitted'.:rolleyes:


HEY! I resemble that remark...;)

In this case, "Halfwitted" means a lover of Frodo. A stalker of Frodo. A person who posted on the "What would you do? Heh heh..." thread. Et cetera. :D :D :D


Deep. Real deep. My English teacher keeps telling us to look for things like that in the books we read, but I never do...I just enjoy the story. :p Hey, so I like a good story, so A-K me.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally posted by TinuvielChild
In this case, "Halfwitted" means a lover of Frodo. A stalker of Frodo. A person who posted on the "What would you do? Heh heh..." thread. Et cetera.

NOT in my case, though! :p

[TinuvielChild]

Well, duh! :p Silly Gwaimir...WE knows you're a halfwit in the other sense, yes preciousss.....:D :D

[Estel13]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
NOT in my case, though! :p

I knew THAT!:rolleyes: