Welcome to Part 2 of Chapter 5 analysis where we will cover all things plants!
The format will look a bit different because there is a lot to go over!
If you're looking for tea analysis and other details → Part 1.
Please note, as of the date of this posting, I have only read up to Chapter 31. This analysis may not be the most accurate or relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is all meant for fun, these thoughts are purely based on personal observations and a bit of research.
It is not intended as criticism or critique in any shape or form.
I have no idea if these are inadaze22‘s intentions and any confirmation(s) from her will be noted.
If you have corrections or inputs, do send them my way. All I ask is that we are kind to one another.
Spoilers ahead! You have been warned!
The Plants:
The fruits mentioned in this chapter likely serve no significance, but here is some over-analyzing and over-reaching.
Dwarf Mango
Has direct connection to the Hindu goddess, Saraswati who is known as the Goddess of knowledge, speech, wisdom, learning, etc. (traits are of similar resemblance to Hermione)
The Vasant Panchami festival celebrates Saraswati, and involves the offering of mango leaves.
Families often mark the day of the festival by helping their young children learn how to write the letters of the alphabet and create music (foreshadowing to Hermione helping Scorpius to communicate?)
Fig
This is a massive stretch and something I stumbled upon: The Qur'an has a "chapter" that begins with "By the fig and the olive", perhaps this will allude to another plant in later chapters. (Source: Wikipedia, don't come for me)
In Greco-Roman culture, it's associated with fertility *wink wink nudge nudge* (I'm sorry this fact was too good to pass off)
Lemon
This is the fourth time it has been mentioned, so it's nearly been mentioned in every single chapter and Hermione clearly has a fondness for it (perhaps other characters also share this same appreciate for it....)
It is often associated with friendship, love, and purification, which are central themes of this fic. If going with the order of things, it directly alludes to the story arc and sets the trajectory for Hermione's relationships.
In terms of tea, lemon cuts the bitterness of black teas to bring a brighter tone. Similarly, both Hermione and Draco are likely to enter into each other's lives and bring something new into their respective lives.
Orange
It's not specified what type of orange Hermione has planted, but it's safe to assume that its meant for consumption and her tea blends.
Hermione mentions that it's for the kids, maybe Scorpius will like them too? (This is for the Tangerine Twins and The Child Protection Agency)
Pear
No thoughts just another quote I pulled off the pear Wikipedia page about the first mention of pears in literature: "Therein grow trees, tall and luxuriant, pears and pomegranates and apple trees with their bright fruit, and sweet figs, and luxuriant olives." (Please note the presence of figs and olives, thank you!)
Abyssinian Shrivelfig
Used in Shrinking Solution (foreshadowing?)
Used in Elixir to Induce Euphoria, which also uses peppermint to counteract side effects (reference to Draco Malfoy creating the potion in 3rd Year; unclear as to how this relates to future chapters)
Akra (Calotropis gigantea)
Produces biochemicals that can help with germination and growth of many agricultural plants (Hermione likely uses this to speed up plant growth aside from magic)
Specific strains can be used as poison (I highly doubt this fact will be seen in the fic, but it's a fun fact to run with)
Used in traditional medicine to treat neurological disorders, although this has limited scientific finding (perhaps this plant will be used in one of Narcissa's potions)
Asphodel
Part of the lily family
Associated with death and gloom, and Persephone the Greek goddess (foreshadowing to potential character death, and issues that Hermione and others must face in the Ministry?)
Used in Draught of Living Death, which places an individual into a deep slumber (foreshadowing?)
Used in Vitamix Potion, which briefly provides a boost in energy and sharpens reflexes (foreshadowing?)
Dittany
Used in healing potions (foreshadowing)
Used in Wiggenweld Potion, which is an antidote to the Sleeping Draught and Draught of Living Death, and also requires the use of mint (foreshadowing?)
Kava
Used for her teas (refer to Chapter 3 → tea analysis)
May also be used in Narcissa's potions because of the sedative properties
Ipecacuanha
Archaic scientific term
A Muggle drug that uses this plant to cause induced vomiting was discontinued in 2010 (unclear as to how this relates to future chapters)
Leaping Toadstools
Used for Baruffio's Brain Elixir, which supposedly increases brain size but can cause detrimental brain damage if brewed incorrectly (unclear as to how this relates to future chapters)
Neem
Potentially toxic, and a weed in some regions
Used for Fergus Fungal Budge, which is used to treat ringworm infections (unclear as to how this relates to future chapters)
Wormwood
Used as flavouring in spirits and wines
Used in Draught of Living Death (foreshadowing?)
Used in Elixir to Induce Euphoria (unclear as to how this relates to future chapters)
Used in Shrinking Solution (foreshadowing?)
Used in Vitamix Potion (foreshadowing?)
Used in the Healing Potion in the 2010s by the Statue of Secrecy Task Force (parallel to Terrorist Task Force?)
Bits and Pieces:
This section is going to a collection of small details and such that I found to be interesting in their wording and meaning. There’s many ways to interpret them, but for this one I’m just going to leave them here. Maybe I’ll come back and do a full analysis later on.
"Halia" (*cue the tears)
"self-partnering" (refer to Emma Watson's interview for Beauty and the Beast)
"except for a twitch in his jaw and a glimmer of what looked like an odd mix of curiosity and suspicion"
🌱 This marks the end of the plant analysis, and bits and pieces section. 🌱
Thank you for coming along for the ride! Hope you enjoyed and see you on the next one! :)
-C
In case you missed the previous posts:
Chapter 1 → review
Chapter 2 → review
Chapter 3, Part 1 → review
Chapter 3, Part 2 → tea + plant analysis
Chapter 4, Part 1 → review
Chapter 4, Part 2 → tea analysis + other details + bits and pieces
Part 1 → tea analysis + other details
Part 2 → plant analysis + bits and pieces
Please note, as of the date of this posting, I have only read up to Chapter 31. This analysis may not be the most accurate or relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is all meant for fun, these thoughts are purely based on personal observations and a bit of research.
It is not intended as criticism or critique in any shape or form.
I have no idea if these are inadaze22‘s intentions and any confirmation(s) from her will be noted.
If you have corrections or inputs, do send them my way. All I ask is that we are kind to one another.
Spoilers ahead! You have been warned!
The Tea:
Minty blend
As mentioned in Chapter 3, minty teas generally have soothing and refreshing properties. This would be a fitting tea for Hermione and Narcissa to drink it together as there is high tension that runs through their meeting. Both women holding onto their values and beliefs, not one having the upper hand.
It’s important to note that the last time Hermione drinks a minty blend was a straight peppermint brew in her meeting with Tiberius McLaggen, and then she meets with Narcissa shortly after. Her tea choice here is more to her preference and routine, perhaps indicating that she is moderately comfortable with her meeting with Narcissa as it was a planned event. At the same time, Hermione was improvising Narcissa’s treatment plan during the meeting, which may be a reason as to why she chose the blend in the first place.
This was the only tea that was mentioned in this chapter. This connection may be a stretch, but this chapter happens to be Draco’s first appearance. After his appearance, tea is frequently mentioned in each chapter. It’s almost as if tea has become synonymous with Draco’s presence. One tea for one appearance, or perhaps one tea for one important appearance or conversation.
For those that are caught up, I think it’s safe to say that tea will continue to be an ongoing theme that nods to current and future events, and gives us a glimpse into Draco and his character.
Foreshadowing:
"The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names."
It directly refers to Hermione and Draco learning to call each other by their first names as a first step in their journey. At the same time it could infer how other characters, namely Scorpius refers to other characters. Perhaps how these names change over the course of the story.
"Glass, cups, teacups."
In Chapter 10, Hermione uses dishes to describe the Malfoy's, perhaps this is brief glimpse of it. Or I am entirely overthinking this and it's just a detail.
Other Details:
"The greenhouse itself was not green."
I'm not sure why I highlighted this part in my early reads, perhaps it was the irony. Although the next few sentences/paragraph explains that the greenhouse is full of a variety of plants of every colour, but the description is a rather specific detail. Maybe it's a small detail that will later have significance, but I don't have anything further to say at the moment.
“Give him time," Neville suggested. "My parents are still alive and sometimes it's hard to…”
I found this quote in the hidden amongst my notes as I was rereading this chapter. At the time, I highlighted it because I loved the idea of Neville and Scorpius bonding. It was a combination that caught me off guard. How was it that I never thought of these two characters together?
Both of these characters have experienced something in their childhood that no one should experience and no other character has experienced – watching their parent through sickness and losing them in the process. I believed that Neville would guide Scorpius to navigate through his feelings and be comfortable with acknowledging and grieving losing his mother, in a way that is different from Hermione's. One is not better, just another way of coping and living with loss.
After reading Chapter 31, I can say that I'm beyond happy to see this all come into fruition and I'm hoping to see more of it!
“there is something stirring in him that has been building since Astoria's death and it will not be quieted”
A part of me knows what is stirring and that Hermione will likely be the one to walk alongside him as this storm calms down.
But I'm hoping that Narcissa will also be alongside him because the clock is ticking, and there is something meaningful about her truly coming to terms with how Astoria's death has impacted Draco from his perspective. I think she knows, but knowing is different than listening then understanding.
Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I think it is a chapter in both of their lives that needs a closure from one another.
"Times have changed, Miss Granger."
These two women will likely be at odds in different ways and extents throughout the rest of the story.
I love how in this moment “the turntables have turned”.
It's not about who is right or wrong in this scenario, but to show that a natural part of becoming familiar with someone, is facing these assumptions and notions we have about others.
“When he chooses to lead, I'll follow, not blindly or as an act of appeasement, but rather by choice.”
This is a powerful moment that is very in-tune with canon Hermione, and sets the tone of how her and Draco's relationship will unfold.
In this moment, Ina has reminded us how time and age affirms and shifts one's views. Hermione is still the woman that we know and love, but with more experience of when to let go of things and let others take the rein – something she might not have done so willingly in the past.
Although Hermione is directly talking about romantic relationships in this context, I think it's safe to say that this same thought process will be applied in her Ministry involvement.
🌱 This marks the end of the tea analysis and other details section. Thank you for sticking around for this long post! 🌱
A few thank you's are in order before Part 2:
@inadaze22 - Thank you for creating this masterpiece and sharing it with us, and being so open about me poking you about random questions and thoughts. Thank you for letting me deep dive into your work!
@dreamsofdramione - Thank you for all that you do and for helping me navigate through fandom!
@petalsfordraco and @wianwriting - Thank you for encouraging me and enabling me as I attempt to complete all the chapters without going off the rails, and letting me scream into your DMs!
TLW- Thank you for delving into this with me and reminding me of all the things I missed!
And to my other half of a brain cell - Thank you for keeping up with my shenanigans at the oddest of hours, and for putting up with this dumb dumb!
It's been awhile!
I'm a bit rusty, so please bear with me as I attempt to put my thoughts into coherent sentences.
For those that are confused, welcome to my chaotic world and shared blog!
I attempt to breakdown fics that I’m currently enjoying, while my partner in crime (and other half of a brain cell) actually posts intellectual and thought-provoking content.
Just some updates:
Many chapters of Measure of a Man (MoaM) by @inadaze22 have been published since my last post, but I'll continue to do the analyses in the mindset that I have not read beyond the chapter itself.
(I may throw in a few nods to future/most recent chapters if it's a key detail)
From now on, I will be separating all future analyses for MoaM into 2+ posts, depending on the chapter.
You will also see that format changes to accomodate for the number of details (because some chapters get out of hand pretty quickly, ooops)
Part 1 → tea analysis
Part 2 → plant analysis
Also, you’ll notice only a handful of reblogs and likes on this blog.
When we spontaneously created this blog, we were just going to use it as a massive brain dump of things we love and read.
We didn't consider the engagement part, so we decided that it would get really messy if both us were reblogging and liking entirely different things.
Know that I freak out over all the creative and talented people in fandom on a regular basis, I just happen to be awful at Tumblr.
And for random fandom things, you can find me on in the Room of Requirement (RoR).
And as a personal choice, the following disclaimer will now be on all MoaM posts, and modified accordingly for new fics.
DISCLAIMER:
This is all meant for fun, these thoughts are purely based on personal observations and a bit of research.
It is not intended as criticism or critique in any shape or form.
I have no idea if these are inadaze22‘s intentions and any confirmation(s) from her will be noted.
If you have corrections or inputs, do send them my way. All I ask is that we are kind to one another.
Thank you and I hope you’ll join me on this journey! :)
As a reader or media consumer, you start to become very well acquainted with the different character arcs and points it takes to get there. You also start to recognize all the different types of developments within a story and how they can push and pull on each other.
I briefly wanted to mention an arc that I haven’t encountered very often. Maybe because you go through all that work to end up back where you started and it can kind of be unfulfilling. As people, we almost always want to be constantly moving and the thought of ending up right where we started is scary and seems unproductive.
But I love it when a character makes that full circle. It could be a character who seems to be trying to get back to where they were on purpose while also trying to move forward, which is very challenging because you’re trying to find a comfortable state of being while pushing yourself forward. Or it could be someone who thought they were completely different than who they were to only ind out they were right where they needed to be the whole time.
I also love it when that character is making a full circle learns so much about everything and everyone around them. It can create that inner conflict of them not moving while the rest of the world is.
The full circle is sometimes so amazing because of the developments that can happen and either will or won’t, and because of those interactions and push and pull form other arcs characters are trying to make.
Last Movie: Honestly, I have no idea. I seldomly watch movies as I’m more a series person. Probably one of the Harry Potter Films, Pride and Prejudice (2005) or a Midsomer Murders episode 🤔
Currently Watching: Drive to Survive (I’m usually not interested in motorsports at all, but this is so thrilling 😁)
Currently Reading: Notorious - Minerva Spencer, Everyday Sexism - Laura Bates, and on the e-book reader Duke of Knight - Elizabeth Johns.
Currently Craving: I’m going full German here and say Blätterkrokanteier (it’s some kind of Easter-sweets with crunchy fudge, brittle and caramel, I can’t describe it, just try it when you have the opportunity!!) and white asparagus 😂
I’m tagging @o0sarena0o @spuffycarrie @whimsymanaged @mightbewriting @heyjude19-writing @kyonomiko @internct @scullymurphy and @quintalon (Please don’t feel obliged to do this 💕)
Last song: Come Through and Chill by Salaam Remi, Miguel
Last movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Currently watching: Wandavision and no one told me it would punch me in the feels, thanks y'all
Currently reading: still working through Vita Nostra by maryna and serihy dyachenko
Currently craving: Easter candy. All of it. I want pastel m&ms and reese’s eggs and cadbury eggs and peeps and every chocolate bunny just give me it all
Currently watching: I’ve hit an indefinite pause with most shows, but most recently, season 3 of Stranger Things
Currently reading: (currently being gutted by) Beginning and End by mightbewriting. And also, a whooooole load of Dramione WIPs. (Bending Light, Love and Other Historical Accidents, Metamorphosis, Measure of a Man, The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy…).
Currently craving: I could really go for one of these very surprisingly soft and delicious gf/vegan chocolate chip cookies from True Food Kitchen right about now.
Tagging: @grangerdangerfics, @persephonestone, @internct, @inadaze22, and @princessofmerchants (if y’all feel up to it)
thank you for the tags @beautyberrywrites and @the-static-hum ! ❣️
last song: possibly maybe - björk
last movie: clueless! a top tier comfort movie
currently watching: atla, and rewatching russian doll
currently reading: dept of speculation - jenny offill (this is intensely good), the body keeps the score - bessel van der kolk, and of course dhr fics galore 😌
currently craving: well, pretty much always a cup of tea😅 but a slice of homemade choc chip banana bread would not go amiss rn
tagging: @wianwriting @dreamsofdramione @sheblooms-bri @lyrium-mysterium (though as always, no pressure!❣️)
Thank you @wianwriting for tagging me! :)
Last Song: fallingforyou by 1975 - the live version hits hard (thank you @petalsfordraco)
Last Movie: Soul - the feels
Currently Watching: Falcon and The Winter Soldier and catching up on WandaVision
Currently Reading: Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin, and of course Measure of a Man by @inadaze22
Currently Craving: Always ice cream
Tagging: @petalsfordraco @oxlovelysun @chestercompany @theoriesnottqueries @dumbledoodlewriting
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Hello!
Over the past month I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to alpha a fic for the International Witches Day Fanfiction Festival in celebration of International Women’s Day.
I’m proud to present Little Deaths by @ireallyenjoyforgetting on AO3!
Title: Little Deaths
Rating: E
Relationships: Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy/Severus Snape
Tags: First War with Voldemort, PTSD, References to Depression, Hopeful Ending
Word Count: 12393
Summary:
“On the day when it will be possible for woman to love not in her weakness but in her strength, not to escape herself but to find herself, not to abase herself but to assert herself--on that day love will become for her, as for man, a source of life and not of mortal danger.”
I wanted to try a duo that seemed strange but would work out? So I went and found a Peter & Bucky fic.
Today I’m going to look at gone and going by lostintheclouds321 on ao3 and the focus is solely on Peter and Bucky after they get kidnapped by, yup you guessed it, Hydra. A main part of it is some amnesia stuff and just needing a hug throughout all of it, since it gets kinda intense and emotional at points. I’ll put the summary and tags in here just so you know what’s up.
Also a warning, there might be spoilers ahead?
Tags: Amnesia, Kidnapping, Protective Bucky Barnes, Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes, POV Bucky Barnes, Hydra (Marvel), Hydra Bucky Barnes, Hydra Kidnaps Peter Parker, Hurt Peter Parker, Peter Parker Needs a Hug, Bucky Barnes & Peter Parker Friendship, Unreliable Narrator, ? I think, Phrase Repetition, Not Captain America: Civil War (Movie) Compliant, Post-Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Whump, Peter Parker Whump
Summary: The Asset wakes up in a cold room. There’s a ringing in his ear.
He doesn't know who Peter Parker is or why he keeps calling him Bucky but he doesn't exactly care to find out.
All he knows is there is no escape from Hydra, he simply has to wait for his next mission.
So as you can see there in the tags, there is a lot of repetition which comes from the established amnesia and happens after a brief moment of remembering. Most of those moments are triggered by Peter talking about the relationship between them and the rest of the team, and in true Peter Parker fashion most of it is done through rambling as they’re doing tasks. Throughout the story we only see this from Bucky and at one point theres a time where we aren’t referring to Peter as Peter, taking this small bit of humanity and the self out of that part. Closer to the end, everything seems to catch up to Peter even though it’s small he shows it in a way that hurts and also shows that lack of humanity and the individual.
While Peter is trying to understand what’s happening, the language that was chosen for this interaction between Bucky and Peter is interesting. The word bravely is used which caught my attention because it only shows up in that moment. I’m highlighting this because there are pieces of vulnerability, even though most of them are from Peter, but this one adds a new level to it. Most of the actions in this story are done forcefully or with a lot of hesitation. This specific word shows a small piece of their relationship and who they are as characters, but like I said it is very small and brief. This is added by what Peter says after that hit me like a truck.
The way that Bucky is being referred to as ‘The Asset’ also shows us a lot of where we are right when we walk into this, which sets the stage for what happens nicely. Part of this set-up is the trust (or lack of) between the two, which would be expected in a situation like this. This trust really is going both ways, though. Early on Peter shows Bucky that he trusts him and we slowly see Bucky return that before a section ends, where the cycle is then repeated.
Along with words like ‘Asset’, there are descriptions given to us about what kind of figure Bucky thinks he is: a cold killing machine. Along with language, which I talked about a bit already, the actions and emotions are described that show little waves of development. One of the first moments has Bucky almost pulled back by all the pain Peter is in due to the situation their in. In later moments Bucky is rather protective of this kid that he either doesn't know or just remembered.
The interactions between these two characters that I’ve never really thought of placing together is complex in it’s own way, especially in this fic. The complexity doesn’t just come from the situation they’re in, but also the relationship they have, which Peter describes in detail in the beginning as them being like brothers.
There is another fic that is almost the opposite of this one that I also really enjoyed, so maybe look out for that.
So I jumped on this train very late, mainly because this book was sold out everywhere and it took me months to find it and get my own copy. Yes, this is about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schawb. And this book did not miss. At all.
V.E. Schawb never misses, but this book was something else.
A lot of you may know the basics of what the book is about if you haven’t read it, and if you have then you may be familiar with what it does to you.
Like some other books, there is some jumping around through timelines and it can be confusing with keeping track of everything happening. I found this creates an interesting situation where the development has happened, but is still building on itself in both obvious and not ways. I don’t know if that will make sense to anyone else, or if others experienced that while reading this book, but how it was done in this book was so incredible and gave a really interesting sense and view of the characters.
The setting builds on this, too, since there are time jumps to different places. And the setting seems to reflect where characters are in certain points of their lives. it really is beautiful.
The book also deals with some interesting themes that can be hard for people to touch on, but they’re integrated into the story so they don’t stick out in strange ways.
Everything about this book feels alive and you can feel the characters living and breathing. And you can feel every emotion they experience.
Like I said, this one doesn’t miss.
I have to say, this one is gonna be sticking with me for a while and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here’s some more symbolism and a few interesting details thrown in the mix! Spoilers ahead, you have been warned!
(again, I have no idea if any of this is @inadaze22′s intention)
The Teas:
Lemon in Earl Grey
A British classic and according to the internet, the best way to take the tea. Earl Grey is a blended tea known for its citrus notes from the use of bergamot orange. The addition of lemon is supposed to enhance and brighten the flavour.
This is the second time Hermione drinks a tea with lemon (refer to Chapter 3 for the first). It’s important to note that in both of these incidents, she is drinking tea with someone else, first with Narcissa and now with Molly.
There’s many comparisons/contrasts that can be drawn between Narcissa and Molly, but I’m going to focus on the conversation as a whole. In both conversations, singleness is brought up. Although both of these women have drastically different perspectives on other topics, they agree that their children (biological or not) must have a partner to be fulfilled in life.
Their perspective is largely influenced by pureblood traditions, but it’s also coming from a place of love. Both of their children are struggling and as mothers it is difficult to watch from the sidelines. They may not understand their difficulties but they want to relieve the pain, so they offer the only remedy they know – a partner to share the burden with.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but this may be the first time direct parallels are drawn between Draco and Hermione.
Circling back to the significance of lemons, it serves as a glimpse of what is to come and it ties everything together. At the moment, it’s unclear if there is a direct meaning (other than smut), but I have strong feeling that we will see more lemons (take it as you will) as the story progresses.
For those who have read the recent chapter, take note that Molly is the only one that made Hermione a perfect cup of tea up until that point. As an additional tidbit, Earl Grey teas traditionally uses black tea such as keemun, but sometimes oolong is used instead. (how interesting…) Also, most black teas need a little lemon too. *wink wink nudge nudge*
Black tea with a splash of milk
It’s not explicitly mentioned what type of black tea she was drinking, but it’s interesting that the tea is mentioned between her call with Charles Smith and Narcissa’s Primary Healer, Kendrick.
I’m drawing a little empty on this one. However, the placement seems significant as Hermione’s tea choice is rarely mentioned unless she is with a prominent character or the tea serves as an important detail. Perhaps Charles Smith and Kendrick are of some importance later on in the story.
The only connection I can draw is that both of the explicitly mentioned teas in this chapter are of the black variety. Anyone have any ideas? Or maybe there is no significance to this tea.
Other Details:
Stars
This may be a reach, but in Chapter 3 Hermione describes her lounge area. She tells the reader that there is “a comfortable chaise large enough for two people” (take what you will with this information) and that she often falls asleep on said chaise “while gazing at the stars”. (Note: this is the first time stars are mentioned)
In Chapter 4, it begins with her gazing at the stars, particularly at the Draco constellation. It seems as though the mention of “stars” in the previous chapter is foreshadowing this part. If we continue with the pattern, than the constellation could very much be foreshadowing something in later chapters. *wink wink nudge nudge*
As for parallels, both times after “stars” are mentioned Hermione has company.
Can we take a minute to appreciate Ina’s attention to detail?
The brightest star in the Draco constellation is named Gamma Draconis, but Ina took the time to consider the story time period. She used its former name Eltanin – Arabic for “the great serpent” as the name change did occur until 2016. She also made sure that Hermione traced the constellation tip to tail as the star is found in the head of the dragon.
As a fun fact that really has nothing to do with the story, the Draco constellation has a deep sky object, Cat’s Eye Nebula; and the Scorpius constellation has a pair of stars that are often referred to as Cat’s Eye.
Gold band
It’s a small detail but every time that Hermione has met Narcissa, her first observation is Narcissa touching a “gold band on a necklace”.
To Hermione this detail is crucial as it supports her idea that Narcissa is very much still living in the past. She knows what the ring is for and what it symbolizes, yet she doesn’t explicitly state it. Knowing how fixated Hermione is on details, it wouldn’t come as a surprise that focusing on this detail meant she missed other (important) details. This ring may come into play later on, but it’s hard to say with the limited information we are given.
Bits and Pieces:
I’m starting this new section in my analyses. It’s going to be small details and such that I found to be interesting in their wording and meaning. There’s many ways to interpret them, but for this one I’m just going to leave them here. Maybe I’ll come back and do a full analysis later on.
"A healthy vegetable patch."
“It felt like family.”
“Maybe it was nothing, but it felt like something.”
Thank you for coming along for the ride! I hope you enjoyed it! :)
-C
P.S.- If there are things that I missed/misinterpreted, please give me a shout
When I talked about money in the media we consume, I mentioned The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and the way money is a big part of the story even when it seems like something so far away in the background. But I wanted to mention some of the other parts of this book.
The book is fiction, written by a Native American, and part of it, be events or characters, are based on his life and experiences. That in itself is something so valuable.
The book also explores a lot of issues that people seem to forget about, like education on reserves vs. education off reserves. Also, what happens when you leave the reserve and a piece of you behind.
I read this in the English course where we focused on money within literature, but when we got to this book, we looked at so much more.
The one part of this book that really caught me, and which I actually focused on for the semester, was societal stereotypes and how those changed or stayed the same when going through a time of shifting. The shift in this book in regards to stereotypes is so big it changes the lenses of some of the characters themselves.
Along with the stereotypes, the book itself follows the main character through a part of his life, and what its like and everything. It’s a pretty easy book to get through, and there are drawings throughout it, but don’t let that turn you away from it.
When I say the book is easy to get through, there are some really complex moments that hit really hard. And the characters are really complex even when they seem simple and easy to figure out, but each chapter adds new layers that you get to see build up.
This book is something great to add to your collection and really is more than it seems.
I’m taking a minute to stray from the book or fanfiction reviews and posts about the symbolism of small things to talk about something completely different.
Can someone tell me why watching WandaVision has turned me into an English teacher? No joke. Every Friday after my classes and work I sit with my mom and overanalyze everything I see. And I mean everything. If you thought me writing a whole post on the symbolism of shoes was bad, you do not want to talk about all of this with me.
Anyways, that’s all. That’s the post. All the theories that people are coming up with are incredible and I love all of them so much.
A couple of months ago, I had an ask about inspiration for everything (visuals for their homes and everything) and I said then I would make a Pinterest. Welp, @dreamsofdramione made it happen while I smiled and nodded. LOL.
Measure of a Man Pinterest
There are links to the chapters via quotes, character quotes that have inspired me, visual inspirations for their homes and Hermione's garden, tea, recipes, the YouTube playlist and Spotify playlist for the story (so far as I'm giving songs per chapter), fanart, banners, in depth reviews from @toreaders-fromreaders. Everything we could think of. Additions will be made as we go.
This chapter is a bit of a filler, nonetheless the writing is high calibre. There’s quite a few details sprinkled throughout that are interesting in both their placement and wording. But more on that in Part 2!
Once again, we get to see Hermione’s relationships in more depth and breadth. I enjoy Hermione and Ron’s scene as frustrating as it is because it shows how unreliable Hermione is as a narrator. We only see their relationship from her perspective so it’s easy to dislike Ron or place the blame on him. There is much more to their relationship then what Hermione is letting on, and perhaps Ron isn’t the villain in their story.
Since this is a Dramione story, I have no doubt that Hermione will compare these two relationships. It will be interesting to see how her narration of it shifts as the story and her character development progresses.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that she confides in Harry and Molly about Narcissa. However, their responses are unexpected. Up until this point, Hermione is the ideal character. She stands her own ground and she’s picked herself up time after time. She has a good support system and she’s fairly content with life. But Harry and Molly not only question her reasonings but arguably her character in each of their conversations.
It shows that Hermione is flawed as she holds onto preconceived notions about Narcissa and purebloods. By no means am I trying to devalue her traumatic experience in Malfoy Manor and the war or the blatant racism she received from these same individuals, or even justify some of Narcissa’s opinions; however it cannot be ignored that Hermione’s time in the wizarding world is limited and so is her understanding of it.
Hermione’s perspective is that of an outsider, both literally and figuratively. From this position, she is able to freely interrogate the pureblood traditions that are so deeply entrenched in the wizarding world. She is able to see the issues that others may not be able to see, hence why she is considered to be an asset. However, this perspective can easily lead to oversimplification because she is not subjected to the traditions.
Hermione is blinded by her preconceptions and she fails to see who Narcissa is and why she had made the choices she has. Perhaps if she took a small step back, she would see the similarities between the two of them. That being said, it’s easier said than done.
*spoiler*
Hermione does take Narcissa on as a patient, but she still has strong opinions and preconceptions of her. It’ll be interesting to see how it will affect their relationship and whether Hermione will let them go or not.
I love the part with Hermione and her father. It’s a tender moment that reflects many father-daughter dynamics, where love is shown through small seemingly mundane actions. I love that he asks her what she needs, rather than what she wants. It’s a simple question, but there is so much weight to it.
Even if it’s not her father’s intention, it takes all her feelings and struggles into consideration. It’s asking “What do you need to right now to get through the day?” “What do you need to feel genuinely happy?” Whereas, “want” is more directional and goal oriented, at least in the context of these last few chapters.
In many ways, she has what she wants out of life, but does she have what she needs? Does she even know what these needs are? And will being with Draco fulfill these needs?
Favourite Quote: “Who better to have on her side than you?”
I love almost every character I come across even if the love is different or lesser, I still love them. But theres one character that absolutely owns my heart that has a very small amount of content, which hurts just a bit. Well, a small amount compared to others in the fandom. Unless I’m looking in the wrong places? Please point me in the right direction, I’m begging.
Yes, I’m talking about Charlie Weasley. When I was first introduced to Harry Potter as a kid all my love was stuck on the trio, but then it started getting split up and moved around the longer I got to digest everything. And a large portion of that love just landed on him.
I feel like we already see so little of him, which hurts in itself, but then there’s very little solo content. And I mean like fics about a day on the reserve or something (if you know of any, please send them my way). Or if there are solo fics, they’re one shots, which I love and they have a special place in my heart, but sometimes you just want more, right?
I also love dragons because who doesn’t and he happens to work with and love dragons as well. Maybe that’s why all that love went to him. But it’s there, laid out in the open just because I love him so much
Well, thank you for reading that small rant about my love for one specific character. Like I said, please send anything my way. I’m starving for it.
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