(1) Pick one of JKR's decisions as an author and challenge it. (Don't worry about challenging it for 500 words or anything!!) This is the question that has kept me from a speedy reply. I have been thinking, and thinking and thinking and I've had the hardest time coming up with anything.I think one thing I disagree with is the way that JKR chose for Sirius Black to die. Not the actual fact that he died, I can see why she did that, but the fact that it was such a fleeting moment and done almost haphazardly. However, we don't know a lot about the Veil, so it's hard to say what else might come of it, or what it really means at this point. I just always pictured Sirius dying a heroic death. He sacrificed so much of himself and he hardly got to fight in the battle for his own life. He was in hiding for so long, kept in the dark to play housekeeper in his own home while the rest of the Order "fought the good fight" and went out and became "useful". I always felt like she treated him, truly, as a bit of a dog. Sit boy, stay. Good, dog. Don't cause any trouble now. Sirius is notorious for acting without thinking, but he gave up 12 years of his life for something he didn't do, he was trapped for crimes he didn't commit and was never given the chance to fight for his own life. His death by the hand of Bellatrix was practically anti-climatic. It just hit you like a load of bricks. I would have even felt better about it if Sirius had been allowed a gut-wrenching duel or something of the sort, but it was hardly mentioned until Sirius was actually hit by Bellatrix. I just think with all Sirius had been through, and as a character close to the heart of so many fans, he might have deserved a hero's death, not a death that seemed to be more of a case of luck on the side of Bellatrix.
(2) If you were an animagus, what do you think you'd be and why? I've always wondered what I would choose my animagus form to be. Part of me always went with a dog, I think because it was familiar. But I decided to do a little research and find something different. If the wizard chooses the animagus, I would choose my animagus to be a Raven. I wanted a bird, firstly. I think the bird is a very intelligent and brave creature. It can often swoop in and out of situations, and be sent for help when no one else can. Birds bring messages (especially those from the deceased), knowledge, are known as prophets, spell-casters, and are sometimes seen as a connection to deities and "other worlds". In Ireland it was once domesticated for use in divination practices, bringing about the idea of "Raven's Knowledge", or second sight. Some cultures see them as "magical birds" because of this connection. I have a good bit of Native American blood on my dad's side, and found this to be really interesting. On the lighter side, I've always been a fan of Poe's "The Raven". I think it's a haunting story and the Raven is basically an all-knowing messenger, or so it seems. He's always been an intriguing character.
In Native American culture, the Raven is "sometimes considered a trickster like the coyote. It is also known to be a teacher and hoarder. The raven is also the mark of a shape shifter." I thought the shape shifter reference was really interesting, since I was looking into becoming a certain animal for animagus form. I decided to pursue that and found this quote -- "Animals can take on human form without a second thought (although Raven is the greatest shape shifter of them all, being able to change into anyone and anything to get what he wants)" If that doesn't sound like a sign of power, I don't know what does. The Raven, to me, seems to be a respected leader among other animals.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-09-15 06:01 pm (UTC)(2) If you were an animagus, what do you think you'd be and why?
I've always wondered what I would choose my animagus form to be. Part of me always went with a dog, I think because it was familiar. But I decided to do a little research and find something different. If the wizard chooses the animagus, I would choose my animagus to be a Raven. I wanted a bird, firstly. I think the bird is a very intelligent and brave creature. It can often swoop in and out of situations, and be sent for help when no one else can. Birds bring messages (especially those from the deceased), knowledge, are known as prophets, spell-casters, and are sometimes seen as a connection to deities and "other worlds". In Ireland it was once domesticated for use in divination practices, bringing about the idea of "Raven's Knowledge", or second sight. Some cultures see them as "magical birds" because of this connection. I have a good bit of Native American blood on my dad's side, and found this to be really interesting. On the lighter side, I've always been a fan of Poe's "The Raven". I think it's a haunting story and the Raven is basically an all-knowing messenger, or so it seems. He's always been an intriguing character.
In Native American culture, the Raven is "sometimes considered a trickster like the coyote. It is also known to be a teacher and hoarder. The raven is also the mark of a shape shifter." I thought the shape shifter reference was really interesting, since I was looking into becoming a certain animal for animagus form. I decided to pursue that and found this quote -- "Animals can take on human form without a second thought (although Raven is the greatest shape shifter of them all, being able to change into anyone and anything to get what he wants)" If that doesn't sound like a sign of power, I don't know what does. The Raven, to me, seems to be a respected leader among other animals.