Beedle discussion? Intro questions.
Hi everyone,
It feels wrong somehow to have a new JKR book and not have a discussion at the SQ. I'd like to start one here; maybe a story a week? I'll kick it off with the following questions about the Introduction:
1. JKR mentions that in muggle fairy tales magic seems to be the root of the problem (poisoned apple, 100 year sleep, etc.) and in wizard tales the wizards must not rely on their magic to get them out of problems. What non-magical choices did Harry &Co. make that helped them get out of magical trouble? Was it usually the muggle-born/raised (Hermione and Harry) who were more likely to come up with non-magical solutions, or did some of the lessons Beedle was trying to impart make an impression on wizards' choices?
2. JKR also mentions that the females in Beedle's tales are more likely to act for themselves, rather than the "waiting to be saved by the prince" more common in muggle tales. JKR has (rightly or wrongly) received criticism for her female characters in the HP novels. In what ways do you think the female characters in the wizarding world are different from standard female characters in current muggle novels (and not just Twilight, please, LOL)?
3. 15th century Beedle is described as having "rather liked muggles". What else can we tell about him through his writing?
4. Knowing the end of Harry's story, why do you think Dumbledore was writing a commentary to the Tales?
Feel free to add any others! If you'd like to claim a tale, please do so in the comments.
Edited to add: Would anyone be interested in a discussion of Melissa Anelli's Harry, A History, since it's so SQ heavy?
It feels wrong somehow to have a new JKR book and not have a discussion at the SQ. I'd like to start one here; maybe a story a week? I'll kick it off with the following questions about the Introduction:
1. JKR mentions that in muggle fairy tales magic seems to be the root of the problem (poisoned apple, 100 year sleep, etc.) and in wizard tales the wizards must not rely on their magic to get them out of problems. What non-magical choices did Harry &Co. make that helped them get out of magical trouble? Was it usually the muggle-born/raised (Hermione and Harry) who were more likely to come up with non-magical solutions, or did some of the lessons Beedle was trying to impart make an impression on wizards' choices?
2. JKR also mentions that the females in Beedle's tales are more likely to act for themselves, rather than the "waiting to be saved by the prince" more common in muggle tales. JKR has (rightly or wrongly) received criticism for her female characters in the HP novels. In what ways do you think the female characters in the wizarding world are different from standard female characters in current muggle novels (and not just Twilight, please, LOL)?
3. 15th century Beedle is described as having "rather liked muggles". What else can we tell about him through his writing?
4. Knowing the end of Harry's story, why do you think Dumbledore was writing a commentary to the Tales?
Feel free to add any others! If you'd like to claim a tale, please do so in the comments.
Edited to add: Would anyone be interested in a discussion of Melissa Anelli's Harry, A History, since it's so SQ heavy?