Eng 1101 - Dumbledore’s Actions for Harry Potter’s Loyalty

Jocelyn Monroe

Professor Frank

English 1101-135

11 October 2015

Dumbledore’s Actions for Harry Potter’s Loyalty

        In the Chronicles of Harry Potter we see many characters who all play a role close to Harry Potter himself. One of the most influential characters is Professor Albus Dumbledore, who knows many things about Mr. Harry Potter which is later told through the series of Harry’s many journeys. Dumbledore is generally odd and strange, often having weird twists and odd sayings, though he gets increasingly serious as the series goes on. Dumbledore plays a grandfather figure to Potter just as Potter comes into Hogwarts for the first time. Potter takes on these many journeys but we learn that Dumbledore himself has many secrets and is very understanding of his destiny in life to keep the many things he loves such as the school, students and many others in his life safe. The Sword of Gryffindor gives protection and demonstrates bravery to Harry when he needs it the most to kill the basilisk. Dumbledore provides this protection and shows Harry this bravery in exchange for Harry’s devotion.

        The Sword of Gryffindor gives protection to Harry with help from Dumbledore in exchange for Harry’s devotion. In Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets Potter enters the Chamber of Secrets and sees that Ginny is unresponsive which he tries to revive her. He hears a voice behind him which is Tom Riddle from his diary. He ask Riddle for help, but he soon see’s that Riddle is not the helping type and has other plans. Riddle begins to explain to Potter his plan and how he used Ginny for all his dirty work. As Riddle goes on Potter learns that Riddle is Lord Voldemort. Potter than explains that Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of all time and Voldemort in their time now fears Dumbledore and Riddles smile turns into a scowl. Fawkes than fly’s in with the sorting hat, Riddle than mocks Potter “This is what Dumbledore sends his defender! A songbird and an old hat!” (Rowling 2:316) Riddle than calls on the basilisk.  Potter takes on the basilisk and has a hard time defending himself. The Sword of Gryffindor appears out of the sorting hat which in the end kills the basilisk. Potter than destroys the first Horcruex which is Riddles diary and is lifted with three others out of the chamber by Fawkes. Dumbledore sends Fawkes with the sorting hat knowing that the Sword of Gryffindor would appear to Harry though Harry had no idea. Though Harry doubts Dumbledore at first with the items he brings to Harry, he still puts his trust in Dumbledore and defeats Riddle. Riddle mocks Potter after Potter defends Dumbledore and says “This is what Dumbledore sends his Defender! A songbird and an old hat!” (Rowling 2:316)  Dumbledore already knows that the sword will appear to harry during the right time when harry needs the sword the most to kill the basilisk. Dumbledore knows that even though Potter does not understand at the time why he chose these items he would understand by the time his first battle was over. The sword is made only for a Gryffindor a true Gryffindor when needed the most which in the end protects Potter from being killed from the basilisk with the help of Fawkes. After this Harry really gives his devotion to Dumbledore and puts his trust in him no matter what the cause is. We know Potter trust Dumbledore in the beginning but Potter becomes loyal to Dumbledore after this event. He will learn many things from Dumbledore to defeat Voldemort throughout the rest of the series.

A sword gives off an aura of bravery for their soldiers just as Dumbledore shows bravery to Harry for Harry to understand the task he will have one day at hand. When a knight holds his sword he feels brave and strong like he can defeat anything. “The sword symbolizes power, protection, authority, strength, and courage; metaphysically, it represents discrimination and the penetrating power of the intellect. The sword is phallic, with the sheath being ionic. It is a symbol of knighthood and chivalry.” (umich.edu). A sword gives you strength and courage as you fight your enemy. Dumbledore shows this strength and courage also as Harry and Dumbledore go on a quest. Harry goes with Dumbledore to The Cave where one of Voldemort’s horcruxes lies. We than find out Voldemort has made this painful potion that has to be drank before he can take the horcruxes. Before leaving to go to the cave Dumbledore says “The place to which we journey tonight is extremely dangerous I promise you could accompany me and I stand by that promise but there’s one condition you must obey every command I give you without question you do understand what I am saying, if I tell you to hide you hide, should I tell you to run, you run, should I tell you to abandon me and save yourself you must do so, your word harry” ( Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, David Yates) Dumbledore shows many of the same characteristics as the sword. The sword shows protection and Dumbledore gives protection to Harry as they go on this quest to get the next horcruxe. Dumbledore explains that where they are going is dangerous and whatever he tells Harry to do it must be done for Harry’s safety. A sword can give a feeling of authority to a person, this person could be in command of his army or have power over his army. Dumbledore is the head master of The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry which gives him great authority over the school, professors, and students. Dumbledore shows his authority over Harry, especially during this mission. He gives Harry exact orders on this mission before leaving, so he is able to keep harry safe and protected. Dumbledore also shows much bravery during this mission. He explains to Harry if anything goes wrong that Harry must follow his direct instructions, if he tells harry to leave, he must leave, if he says run, harry must run. Dumbledore shows bravery during this journey, especially by drinking the painful potion. Dumbledore knows the effects the potion will cause but he tells Harry to make him drink it until it is all gone. Dumbledore knows he must be very courageous during this time, so that they are able to kill another horcruxe. In Harry’s eyes he sees an older man who is not only being brave but sacrificing himself for the people he loves the most. Harry now knows when he takes on Voldemort he will be brave like Dumbledore and defeat him, to save the people he loves as Dumbledore did himself.