Truth about Snape

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

Professor Severus Snape

Snape is a postions master and defence aganst  the dark arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Snape was potraid in the first six books as a hater of Harry.  James Potter, Harry’s Father and his friends were always at war with Snape during their school years at Hogwarts. Snape always kept to himself and was always studying, where as James was the popular, outgoing and the athletic type. Potter disliked Snape hence his crush on Lilly and him wanting to be in Slytherin.

One day at school, James being the bully he is towards Severus, uses a spell, one of Severus own spells, to turn him upside down to reveal his underwear in front of several students including Lilly. Lilly came to his defense, but Severus was so taken back that he called Lilly a “Mudblood”. Lilly never really forgave Snape for this despite his love for her. Instead she married James Potter.

It was Severus that was ultimately responsible for James Potter’s death. After overhearing a prophecy, Severus reported to Voldermort that a child would be born that would lead to the demise of Voldemort. To prevent this from happening, Voldemort went to kill James and Harry. Lilly was to be spared because Severus pleaded for her life; however she died saving her sons life. Maybe that is what they mean by “A Mothers Dying Love”

After Lilly’s death, Severus Snape secretly dedicated his life to looking after her son, Harry who strongly resembled his Father James Potter, the man Severus hated for most of his life.

Good versus Evil

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

Good versus Evil in Harry Potter

            There is an obvious battle of good versus evil in the Harry Potter series. Harry the quick-witted hero, and Voldermort the villain, and the perfect example of evil.

            The survival of Harry when attacked by the powerful Voldermort is the true example of the power of a mother’s love. Harry’s mother Lilly Potter so willingly sacrificed her life for Harry, which shows the true meaning of a mother’s “undying love.”

            In each book, Harry shows how the good always triumphs over evil, beating Voldermort every time. But like life, the struggle to defeat evil is not always easy for Harry. This series shows how good can always triumph over evil.

            Harry, Ron and Hermonie show the true meaning of friendship. They trust each other, and stand by each other, even in the darkest of situations. Together, their power of friendship helps Harry defeat Voldermort. Harry of course is the real hero, but could not triumphed without the help of friendship: Ron and Hermonie. Even in the muggle world, Harry is faced with slightly less scary, but even more irritating evil the Dursley’s. His family, the Potters are portrayed as the good, while the Dursley’s who constantly torment Harry are portrayed as evil.

            Of course in all stories of good and evil, there is the enemy. Harry meets his enemy at Hogwarts, Drako Mathow. Drako is a crude young boy, always using his magic to torment others. While Harry’s goodness in his heart always triumphs over Drako’s constant hatred. Although Drako becomes less of a threat and more of a wimp as the series goes on. Gryffindor and Slytherin show yet another example of good versus evil. Gryffindor being a humble, kind hearted house at Hogwarts, always seems to triumph over the snobby, evil house Slytherin. Slytherin is also the house of most death eaters, including Voldermort himself, adding to the evil of the house.

           

Christmas Carol in my life

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

Ghosts of a Christmas Carol

            Every year when we sit down and watch the movie a Christmas Carol, it always gets me thinking. Reading A Christmas Carol class this semester made me think a little deeper even. Obviously, Scrouge by the end of his visits by the Ghost is a changed man. It makes me question, what would happen if I experienced something he did?

            The first ghost is the Ghost of Christmas Past, taking Scrouge back in time when he was younger. If I was taken back to when I was younger, just like anyone, I have regrets. I wish I would have done better in school. I wish I would have listened to my family the numerous times they tried to warn me about a boy or a friend. I wish me and Katie would have never gotten into that stupid fight. I wish I would have stayed in public school. All these regrets come to my mind. Some of the events I regret did make me who I am today, but I wish I would have handled things differently and more maturely in my younger years.

            The second ghost is the Ghost of Christmas Present takes him to several current scenes, trying to make Scrouge appreciate and love his peers. I know in the past, I treated people badly at times. I handle friendships that had gone bad in the wrong way. I talked bad to my family. I was disrespectful. I never really appreciated the important people in my life. As I’ve gotten older, I have grown up, and learned to appreciate those who are there for me. However, there are still days when I do not remember to do so. Like when I am having a bad day and take it out on my family, or my boyfriend. It is moments like those that I should stop and know that I am blessed to have such amazing friends, family, and a loving boyfriend.

            The third ghost is the Ghost of Christmas Future, who shows Scourge the path he is leading up to. When I look into the future, I see a struggle. My mistakes, especially in school, will affect me greatly. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian, but will never be able to do so because of the high competition for vet school and my grades. When I look into the future, I hope to grow older and wiser. I hope to keep those in my life who have proven they will always be there. And I hope to never lose the gift of my amazing family.

            I am not sure if my regrets and mistakes are just screw ups, or were meant to happen. Life is one big lesson, you learn from your mistakes. They made me who I am today, and I am sure I will make millions more to help me grow into who God wants me to be.

Ron or Harry?

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

Ron Weasley or Harry Potter?

            Hermonie Granger is the cunningly smart female lead in the Harry Potter series. But there is, and has been the ongoing question of who she should be with. Should she be with her best friend Harry, or her pain in the butt friend Ron. The signs are all there for her and Harry. Then again, the best friends that fight always ironically like Hermonie and Ron end up falling for each other.

            Harry was always the first to notice Hermonie’s intelligence and beauty. Harry confided in her, and trusted her with everything. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Hermonie cries on Harry’s shoulders over Ron and his new girlfriend. They were best friends. It seemed like they were perfect for each other. The hero and the amazingly intelligent best friend; it all made sense right? And in the last movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1, Ron leaves Hermonie and Harry. While he is gone, Hermonie asked Harry if they can just stay there and grow old together, while in the winter wonderland Forrest she had taken them to. But was Harry and Hermonie’s relationship more brother and sister like?

            There were always subtle signs between Ron and Hermonie. They had the perfect love-hate relationship. Let’s face it, in real life, girls always seem to have that one special guy friend. You know, the boy is jerk to the girl, and the girl is always completely frustrated by him. However they still care for each other, just too blind to see it. They get jealous when seeing the other with someone else. Hermonie gets upset when seeing Ron and his new girlfriend snogging each other. And Ron is overly angered when Hermonie catches the attention of the famous Victor Krum in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. A love-hate relationsip is the epitome of Ron and Hermonie. They were bound to end up together, between all the fighting; they truly cared for each other.

            I would not want to spoil the surprise for those who haven’t read the last book, so I will not say who wins this fight. The clues from the last movie are there.  Hermonie looks to Harry and says, “Maybe we should just stay here, Harry and grow old.” And while Hermonie upset that Ron left them, Harry takes her hand and they dance together to a song on their little radio inside their tent. Then again, while looking for clues about the Horcrux in the home of the Black’s, they all fall asleep across the living room. While sleeping, Hermonie and Ron seem to be reaching for one another’s hand. And when Ron returns to camp, after defeating the Horcrux, Hermonie asks him how he found his way back. He proceeds to tell her heart that it was her voice he heard coming from that little ball of light from his light catcher that Dumbledore given to him in his will.

Harry Potter Theme Park

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

Harry Potter Theme Park in Orlando

            When it was announced that there was going to be a Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida, my mother was beaming with excitement. I have always wanted to take her one day, because she is the biggest Harry Potter fan I know. However I could not help but wonder what this new theme park was like. Was it just a few rides, or a whole new section of The Universal Studios Park?

            Turns out, this park allows you to see a real life version of Hogwarts. You can walk through the hallways and classrooms of Hogwarts on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction. You can even witness first hand Dumbledore’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts class rooms, the Gryffindor common room and more!

            The Dragon Challenger is a set of two roller coasters simulating the dragons in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. One roller coaster represents the Chinese fireball dragon, and the other represents the ferocious Hungarian Horntail dragon. When walking up to this set of Dragon Coasters, you can even see the Goblet of fire its self, and the Triwizard cup all from the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

            As seen in read in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, you can ride a hippogriff coaster. You will first learn how to correctly approach one of these creatures and not end up attacked like Mathow. Then you take off on the ride, twirling through the pumpkin patch and past Hagrid’s home.

            You can even find stores that were featured in many of the Harry Potter books. You can find a good prank at Zonko’s novelty store. Then enter Olivander’s to see what kind of wand is for you.  Have a sweet tooth? Honeydukes will do just the trick. Dervish and Banges will supply you with all your wizarding needs. And lastly, Flich’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods features many replicated goods from the series.

           

How to Train Your Dragon movie vs book

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

How to Train Your Dragon Book versus the Movie

            How to Train Your Dragon is one of my favorite movies of all time. I started working at the Carolina Theater when this movie came out. When showings of How to Train Your Dragon let out, handfuls of people came out drying their tears with napkins they had originally intended for their buttery popcorn fingers. Most people do not know however that the movie is based on a book. Let alone, that there is a whole series! I never realized how many differences between the book and movie there actually was.

            The plot in the book is entirely different from the movie. In the movie, the Vikings are seen as being at war with the dragons and have a custom of killing them. Hiccup of course shows them that these “beasts” are trainable, and they all live happily ever after. In the book however, the Vikings were already accustomed to capturing and training the dragons.

            In the book Hiccup actually has two dragons. Toothless is not a night fury, which was made up for the movie. Instead Toothless is Hiccup’s hunting dragon, and he is rather small and a common garden dragon. Hiccup’s second dragon is his flying dragon, Windwalker. Hiccup adopted Windwalker because he knew no one else wanted him.

            One of the biggest differences from the book and the movie is that Asterid, Hiccup’s love interest was made up entirely for the movie. Asterid is not featured in the book series at all. Some say that Asterid represents the book female character Camicazi. Camicazi is a great sword fighter and one of Hiccup’s very good friends. Despite the major differences, Author Cowell still felt like the movie captured the message portrayed in her book.

Drug use in Alice in Wonderland

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

Drugs in Alice in Wonderland

            The book and movie phenomenon Alice in Wonderland obviously has quite a few drug references in the plot. Alice’s trip to wonderland is seen as what most would call it, a “trip.” Drugs are taken to achieve multiple effects; however the result is the same in all cases: a trip.

            Drugs heighten the senses of the body to its environment and surroundings. During this trip, it is typical for time to feel as if it is slowing down. When Alice is falling down the hole that the rabbit led her to she is falling very slowly, enabling her to look around at the things around her. In the movie, there are odd things falling slowly around her: like a piano or random clocks that are continuously ticking. Somehow she never manages to run into anything during this slow trip down. Mushrooms are also known to increase the high. When visiting the caterpillar, Alice is encouraged to eat a shroom. The shroom is also what made her grow in height; a resemblance to the growth in the high you get from it in real life.

            When taking drugs, hallucinations are also very typical. Alice in Wonderland its self could all be seen as one big hallucination, or a dream. The concept seems unreal, made up, and imaginative. The dream Alice keeps on having about Wonderland makes her question her sanity, wondering if she has indeed gone mad. Was it all just a part of her imagination? The most obvious link to drugs from Alice in Wonderland is the caterpillar’s hookah. The hookah is more commonly known as a water pipe. The hookah has become a somewhat popular what to inhale marijuana. In the 1970’s hookahs were used at psychedelic parties, and passed around the room to be inhaled. In more recent years, there have even been hookah cafes opened in the middle- east. The cafes are located near college campuses to target a younger cliental.

Works Cited:

"Drug Influences in the Books." Lenny's Alice in Wonderland Site. Web. 01 May 2011. <http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/explain/alice817.html>.

Gospel and Harry Potter

Makayla Heaton

Blogs, Eng 242

Mrs. Watson

The Gospel take on Harry Potter

            Coming from a Christian private school, I recall reading Harry Potter in middle school, and I can still feel the dirty looks I received from my peers. I had always wondered what the big deal was, and why everyone thought it was so terrible that I was reading this series. In 7^th grade, my English teacher stopped me and informed me how “I was partaking in a sinful action by reading that silly, nonsense of a book!” Needless to say, the look on my face was a surprised and confused one. Some Christians believe that reading this series means your supporting Witchcraft. Witchcraft has always been frowned upon for Christians; that is why some do not celebrate Halloween. What I did not understand is, how am I supporting witchcraft just by reading a fictional book about it?

            Some believe Harry uses evil to solve his problems, aka magic. The bible speaks again witchcraft and sorcery. Leviticus 19:31 states “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." But how can this make a book so harmful? In my Christian private middle school, I was informed it was a sin that my family and I had a pet black cat. I am pretty sure the whole school was praying for us at this point.

            However, maybe there is a good side to Harry Potter. Not only is it a top selling book, and phenomenal movie, but also a possible tool for Christians. Instead of being so against the series, look within it to find ways for it to help share the Gospel. Harry and Voldermort are the perfect example of good versus evil, and in the end good always triumphs over evil. Not only that, but the wizarding world in the series show a need for a higher power.

            For me, I believe it to be quite silly that Harry Potter is seen as sinful and against Christianity. Among other things like Halloween, and something as simple as having a black cat, it is what you make of it. Some like to take things to a certain extreme, but in my faith, I want to make everything I do about God. Halloween does not have to be about dressing up as evil creatures; it is simply a fun kid holiday. A black cat is just a cat, like any other cat, nothing wrong with that. And Harry Potter is simply an adventurous series that has grabbed the hearts of millions, not a way to brain wash the new generation.

Works Cited:

CBN. "The Harry Potter Controversy." CBN.com - The Christian Broadcasting Network. CBN.com, 2011. Web. 01 May 2011. <http://www.cbn.com/special/harrypotter/>.

Christ, Jesus Lord, and Apostles. The New English Bible; New Testament. [New York]: Oxford UP, 1961. Print.