Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

How is the concept of the “greater good” defined and interpreted by different characters in the book, and how do these interpretations influence their actions? Consider these points as you formulate a response.

• Compare the ways Harry, Dumbledore, and Voldemort each justify their actions in the name of the greater good. How do their motivations and methods reflect their personal beliefs and motivations?
• How does the notion of the greater good affect the decisions of characters like Snape, who operates in a morally gray area? How does Snape’s interpretation of the greater good influence his complex relationship with both Dumbledore and Voldemort?

Teaching Suggestion: This question connects to the theme Sacrificing for the Greater Good. Students might start by reflecting on chapters in which the phrase “for the greater good” is explicitly stated, such as in Chapter 18 with Dumbledore’s letter to Grindelwald, and move on to places where the meaning is more implicitly defined. Some students may struggle to contrast Harry’s actions with Dumbledore’s, since they are both on the same side. You may wish to draw their attention to Dumbledore’s omissions and how Harry is affected as a result.