Bellatrix LeStrange Is a Whimp?

Okay.

This post is going to focus on the Battle at the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

In the book, Bellatrix is super demented and insane.
     Duh.
     We know this stuff already.

But why is there a difference in the portrayal of Bellatrix in the book than in the movie.

Bellatrix kills Sirius. Lupin holds Harry back. Harry chases down Bellatrix and uses the Cruciotus Curse on her.
     In the book, Bella laughs her head off, cackling maniacally. She is barely tickled by the curse because Harry didn't mean the curse enough for it to work. She challenges him, enticing him to strike again because the first attempt was just sad. And she knows he can't do it, so why not tick him off more?
     In the movie, however, Harry hits her with the spell once and Bellatrix falls to the ground, pouting and looking like she is about to cry. Can anyone say -- mischaracterization of character? I know I can. That just isn't true to the book or character. I have no idea what they were thinking. Idiots.

Oh well.

Book Bella wins. And that's all that matters.

Book Review: The Mystery of Harry Potter

The Mystery of Harry Potter: A Catholic Family Guide by Nancy Carpentier Brown


I don't have much to say. I mean, the title says everything that needs to be stated. The book, however, is surprisingly supportive of the Harry Potter books, claiming they are Christian in nature. Her goal is to convince her Catholic audience that Harry Potter is an okay book to be read by anyone of any age.

Her reasoning is thorough and logically sound.

If you're curious, give it a read. It's interesting to see Harry Potter from a very specific, narrow view point.

Book Review: Prejudice in Harry Potter's World

Prejudice in Harry Potter's World: A Social Critique of the Series, Using Alport's The Nature of Prejudice by Karen A. Brown

If you are interested in the different prejudices found within the Harry Potter series, this book should be the first one on your list. And that's for a completely reason than reflecting the title. It is full of information on a multitude of prejudicial issues; not just information, but cunning and intellectually curious ideas based on this information.

Brown explores several topics including
     Nature of Wizarding World Prejudice
     House-elves
     Squibs
     Werewolves
     "Mud-blood"
      Inherited prejudices from parents
      Harry

It's well written and a very good source for this information. I highly recommend it.

Dobby, the Free Elf, Will Always Be There for His Friend, Harry Potter

Anyone who has seen Chamber of Secrets knows that Harry and Dobby do not necessarily get along. Dobby ends up getting Harry both into trouble and hurt while trying to protect / save him. Dobby appears the night Harry must spend in the hospital wing to regrow the bones in his arms. That night, he makes Dobby promise to never try to save his life again.

If Harry was Dobby's master, he would have had to listen . . . and Harry would be dead.

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (book), Dobby is the one who gives Harry the gillyweed for the second task. Without it, he would not have been able to save Ron (and Gabrielle) or survive the task if he tried to save them anyway.

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (book), Dobby is the one who warns Harry and the other members of Dumbledore's Army that Umbridge and the Inquisitorial Squad were coming to attack / capture them. While this may not have been a life or death situation, Dobby still showed up to save Harry. Harry's capture by Draco was unfortunate, but Dobby at least gave Harry the opportunity to run to safety.

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (book), Harry sends Kreacher on a mission to follow Draco and find out what he is up to, certain that Malfoy is a Death Eater and dangerous. Dobby joins in the quest because he wanted to help Harry. The spying worked to a certain extent and, again, even though it was not a life or death position for Harry, Dobby's information allows Harry to leave the Felix Felicis for his friends so they would be safe.

Finally, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dobby saves Harry and the others at Malfoy Manor at the cost of his own life. Dying this way makes Dobby's death one of the saddest moment in the entire series. He wasn't required to do so; he freely chose to help Harry.

But take a moment and think . . .

Dobby was only able to save Harry Potter (after Chamber of Secrets) because he was free. Free from the Malfoys and free from Harry, so he could act on his own and do what he loves -- helping / saving his friend Harry Potter, no matter the cost.

Point being -- Harry is lucky Dobby didn't answer to him, otherwise he would be dead due to the above situations.

But Dobby is a free elf and he will always be there to help his friend, Harry Potter.