Author: Berilac
In numerous fantasy narratives, a man, noticeably ancient, well-renowned, maybe even notorious - a man possessing knowledge beyond all human comprehension - becomes vitally important. This unique individual (almost always with a flowing white beard, crooked nose, and a calm disposition) is the crux of the primary plot, the backbone of the story, the one who assists the protagonist in countless ways. He educates and helps this particular character in the moments when emotions are the most frayed and when life becomes too confusing, even unbearable. He provides insight to those "below" him - remarkable insight, simple and obvious at the surface, but crucial deep down.
Dumbledore embodies this typical (almost cliched) figure. An old wizard, wise and all-knowing to almost everyone, he mentors Harry from the sidelines, bringing people to his aid when the occasion calls for it. Through Harry's perspective, we see an eccentric sagely figure - many times concise, other times flowing with witticisms (either sharp jokes or insane gibberish), but in essential moments speaking eloquent paragraphs about life and how to deal with problems that seem to attack from every direction.
But he is intelligent. Dumbledore is definitely intelligent from what Harry has experienced. He starts off immediately as a figure hoisted up onto an unreachable pedestal, almost godlike. The students listen to him (most of the time); Hagrid reveres him; McGonagall respects him; Voldemort fears him; Fudge is petrified of him.
From the first to the fourth book, we see a Dumbledore distant but always there, hovering overhead, still able to be close to Harry (especially after encounters with his adversaries), and still able to disclose insider information. During the fifth book, however, we see a change. Dumbledore distances himself from Harry more so than before. As readers, we become disconcerted by this and even angry at him (like Harry is) because we want to know why Dumbledore is doing this, why he does not get close to Harry when Harry needs it the most. The fascist Ministry members are no help in mending the line of communication between them both. And it isn't until the utmost of tragedies strikes in the Department of Mysteries that another facet of Dumbledore reveals itself and the stereotypical picture of an old, withering man with an endless amount of knowledge and a limitless array of mystery shatters into a million pieces. We realize Dumbledore has made a mistake. He holds off telling Harry the reason why Voldemort longs to kill him, why Voldemort attacked his parents, why Harry and Voldemort have that strange and frightening connection that strengthened over the past year.
Why does Dumbledore hold off telling Harry these bits of information? - Because he cares so much about Harry; Dumbledore has grown to admire and love him in such a way that he becomes afraid of putting even more stress upon a teenager who has undergone absolute hell over a five year period. Dumbledore does not act and do what he should have mainly because he fears that if he does, it will make it easier for Voldemort to kill Harry. Dumbledore simply does not want that to happen, he cares so much; he even disregards the safety of others, because he wants to keep Harry alive.
Foolish love? Dumbledore states he is a fool. Sure, it might be a bit foolish of him to act the way he did. Sure, the headmaster is fallible. But to make a mistake because of love appears all the more admirable. The headmaster becomes more complex - more enigmatic - after interacting with Harry in his office after Sirius's death. He has faith that what he has done is right; he still believes the prophecy; he wants to defeat Voldemort and the only way for him to do it is to protect Harry, to strengthen him, to love him, to prepare him for what lies ahead.
I expect exciting things to happen come July 16, and I also fear the worst when that day arrives. Dumbledore has been knocked down a few levels; he is not as deified as he once was. He has made mistakes like we all do. Before the fourth book, I believed 100% that Dumbledore could never die, would never die. Because he was perfect. Now, I feel with an almost frightening certainty, that he will meet his end before the series is over.
Posted by Madmaxime at March 16, 2005 01:03 AM