Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 35 Quotes
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 35 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
"I resented it, Harry."
Dumbledore stated it baldly, coldly. He was now looking over the top of Harry's head, into the distance.
"I was gifted, I was brilliant. I wanted escape. I wanted to shine. I wanted glory.
"Do not misunderstand me," he said, and pain crossed the face so that he looked ancient again. "I loved them. I loved my parents, I loved my brother and my sister, but I was selfish, Harry, more selfish than you, who are a remarkably selfless person, could possibly imagine." (35.57-60)
Dumbledore, it seems, wasn't quite strong enough to sacrifice his future for his family, as he was asked to do – one of the reasons why he recognizes Harry as a better man. Harry's selflessness is remarkable; his choice to sacrifice himself is something that most of us wouldn't have been able to do!
Quote 2
"And his knowledge remained woefully incomplete, Harry! That which Voldemort does not value, he takes no trouble to comprehend. Of house-elves and children's tales, of love, loyalty, and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing." (35.26)
Again, the difference between Harry's understanding of the world and Voldemort's is made clear – Voldemort is completely consumed by his lust for power, and his ignorance of the things that actually make life good and worthwhile are what really demonstrate his true evil.
Quote 3
"You are the true master of death, because the true master does not seek to run away from Death. He accepts that he must die, and understands that there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying." (35.88)
Dumbledore explains the real meaning of "master of death" here – it doesn't mean that Harry commands Death, but rather that he's kind of on equal terms with it. Like the third brother in the story (his ancestor), he's willing to approach Death face-to-face when the time is right, and thus has a greater understanding of it… or, rather, has come to an understanding with it.