Essays
During the years that the Harry Potter books were being released, there were quite a few websites dedicated to essays on the series. Almost all of them revolved primarily around figuring out what was coming in future books: Is Snape good or bad? Will Harry live or die? Does Hermione love Harry or Ron?
Today, most of those sites have long since stopped updating, and I haven’t really seen any sites dedicated to answering the questions that still exist about Harry Potter and the wizarding world. It’s part of the richness of the series that there will always be more to talk about and wonder about, and that’s what these essays are dedicated to.
So I encourage you to join in the discussion in the comments at the bottom of each essay, e-mail me if you have a question you’d like to see discussed, and let me know if you yourself have an essay you’re interested in adding. And let’s keep the conversations going!
Oh yes: Please also assume that these essays contain spoilers from all seven books, and aren’t intended to be read unless you’re familiar with the ending of the series. Enjoy!
Hello, I’m new to your site and enjoying it very much. I was wondering what are your thoughts about the relationship between Lilly and her sister Petunia? I really think the H.P. series left out so much as far as they are concerned. I was hoping for more info or insight in the last book but good old Aunt Petunia had little to nothing to say to Harry in their last meeting. I just wish more would have been explained.
CARLY said this on October 27, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Welcome Carly! Thanks for your kind words.
Petunia is a fascinating person, though I must confess that to this point I’ve never given her all that much thought. But thinking about it now, I do think it would be interesting to explore the extent to which Lily’s acceptance into Hogwarts (and friendship with Snape) served as a catalyst for the rest of Petunia’s life decisions, including the way she treats Harry. Hmm.
Let me mull over it for a little while… I’ll get back to you. Thanks for the idea!
John Kearns said this on October 27, 2009 at 5:06 pm
John this is quite simply the best section of your site. It allows you some flexibility as you don’t have to follow the chapter to chapter format (although I do enjoy the that analysis very much.) I eagerly await more essays!
Cowboy Jim said this on November 16, 2009 at 2:23 am
john are you going to write essays for the last 3 books it’d help i noticed you didn’t write one for POA if there’s anything you need to say about that one you should
and yeah an essay about petunia would be awesome i’d like to explore her and her relaionship with
seekerbillpotter said this on January 31, 2010 at 2:04 am
Yes, seekerbillpotter, I’m planning on having an essay for each of the seven books (look out for OP sometime this week). The reason there isn’t one yet for PA is because I still haven’t settled on what exactly it will be – there weren’t any story lines from that book that jumped out at me the way the other books did. I do have some ideas floating around in my head, however, so I’ll get it up here before the site is finished. :)
John Kearns said this on January 31, 2010 at 7:55 am
I simply loved the essay “Not Just Fredandgeorge – The Twins’ Differences”. Excellent observations. I always thought the twins had a “couple” effect around them. It’s as if every time Fred says something , George comes up with a quip and vice-versa. But that they are fundamentally different human beings however similar they might be, and that they don’t exactly work like a coupling force and are rather distinct human beings is something that adds greater clarity and definition to their characters. I must confess I always thought Fred and George always go together and “complete” each other character wise and were more like “very entertaining support staff”. But I must say the essay has proved how very wrong I was in thinking so.
Shambo said this on March 16, 2010 at 1:27 am
Hey Dude, just kinda wondering when you were getting to the 6th novel. I’ve read your essays and ideas and i think you have a very intresting point of view.
Doodbuddy said this on March 19, 2010 at 9:18 am
Shambo – thanks for the kind words!
Doodbuddy – If you mean the essay for the sixth novel, I’ve generally been posting essays shortly after I finish writing the chapter pages for a given book – and I’ve got twenty-some-odd more chapters in HBP before I get to the essay. But I promise there will be one! :)
John Kearns said this on April 2, 2010 at 8:23 am
John – I totally agree with Cowboy Jim: this is by far the best section of this site. It astonishes me how you are able to put together the entire story, including behind the scenes, simply from what is in the books.
I was wondering about Hallows and Horcruxes. Would this be a good idea for an essay? I don’t understand, for instance, how Dumbledore took the Elder Wand from Grindewald in the great duel of 1945, when it’s, well, unbeatable.
Thanks.
Will said this on May 26, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I don’t understand that part either. I think you should make an essay explaining the details of the Hallows and Horcruxes.
Phoebe said this on May 29, 2010 at 7:41 pm