Monday, April 9, 2018

Eucatastrope in Harry Potter, Part 7


Oh the eucatastrophes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! For all its darkness and terror and pain, the novel is punctuated throughout by eucatastrophes that serve as high notes, reminders of hope, love, and peace, expressions of what Harry and his friends are fighting for.

Let's list a few of the eucatastrophes, those sudden, joyous turns that give us readers a strong sense of delight and hope for a happy ending.

* Dudley Dursley's goodbye to Harry – No, it's not that dramatic, but who would have expected Dudley to awkwardly admit what Harry had done for him and to shake his cousin's hand? Maybe he turns out all right after all!

* Kingsley's Patronous warning the Weasleys and their guests just in time to avoid disaster at Bill and Fleur's wedding

* Kreacher's sudden change of behavior after Harry gives him Regulus' locket – Who would have expected that Kreacher could cook delicious meals!?!

* The Silver Doe Patronous that leads Harry, seemingly miraculously, to the Sword of Gryffindor

* Hermione's voice unexpectedly issuing from the Deluminator to let Ron know his friends' location

* Dobby's surprising appearance at Malfoy Manor – Dobby, the free elf, returns to the place of his enslavement to save his friends and gives his life in the process.

* Harry, Ron, and Hermione's flight out of Gringotts on a dragon

* Harry not dying when he is hit by Voldemort's Killing Curse – In fact, he gets a chance to speak with Dumbledore in “King's Cross” and makes the decision to return to fight to the finish.

* Neville pulling Gryffindor's Sword out of the Sorting Hat

* Harry's final “Expelliarmus!” – Voldemort's Killing Curse rebounds and hits the Dark Lord himself. Harry catches the Elder Wand. The reign of terror is finally over thanks to one last eucatastrophe.

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