What does “his mirror” refer to in this context?

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... He scowled at the dark ceiling. Did they think he couldn't look after himself? He'd escaped Lord Voldemort three times; he wasn't completely useless....
Unbidden, the image of the beast in the shadows of Magnolia Crescent crossed his mind. What to do when you know the worst is coming....
“I'm not going to be murdered,' Harry said out loud.
'That's the spirit, dear,' said his mirror sleepily.”
I don't see a real mirror has been mentioned in the whole context. No one else was there and Harry was lying in his room alone. It might not be a literal mirror here. What does "his mirror" mean?
-- From Harry Potter - The prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 4, the Leaky Cauldron.
word-usage meaning-in-context word-meaning
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up vote
2
down vote
favorite
... He scowled at the dark ceiling. Did they think he couldn't look after himself? He'd escaped Lord Voldemort three times; he wasn't completely useless....
Unbidden, the image of the beast in the shadows of Magnolia Crescent crossed his mind. What to do when you know the worst is coming....
“I'm not going to be murdered,' Harry said out loud.
'That's the spirit, dear,' said his mirror sleepily.”
I don't see a real mirror has been mentioned in the whole context. No one else was there and Harry was lying in his room alone. It might not be a literal mirror here. What does "his mirror" mean?
-- From Harry Potter - The prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 4, the Leaky Cauldron.
word-usage meaning-in-context word-meaning
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
... He scowled at the dark ceiling. Did they think he couldn't look after himself? He'd escaped Lord Voldemort three times; he wasn't completely useless....
Unbidden, the image of the beast in the shadows of Magnolia Crescent crossed his mind. What to do when you know the worst is coming....
“I'm not going to be murdered,' Harry said out loud.
'That's the spirit, dear,' said his mirror sleepily.”
I don't see a real mirror has been mentioned in the whole context. No one else was there and Harry was lying in his room alone. It might not be a literal mirror here. What does "his mirror" mean?
-- From Harry Potter - The prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 4, the Leaky Cauldron.
word-usage meaning-in-context word-meaning
... He scowled at the dark ceiling. Did they think he couldn't look after himself? He'd escaped Lord Voldemort three times; he wasn't completely useless....
Unbidden, the image of the beast in the shadows of Magnolia Crescent crossed his mind. What to do when you know the worst is coming....
“I'm not going to be murdered,' Harry said out loud.
'That's the spirit, dear,' said his mirror sleepily.”
I don't see a real mirror has been mentioned in the whole context. No one else was there and Harry was lying in his room alone. It might not be a literal mirror here. What does "his mirror" mean?
-- From Harry Potter - The prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 4, the Leaky Cauldron.
word-usage meaning-in-context word-meaning
word-usage meaning-in-context word-meaning
edited 14 hours ago
asked 14 hours ago
dan
3,23222153
3,23222153
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
11
down vote
It's not a figurative mirror - there is a real talking mirror in Harry's room at the Leaky Cauldron which is mentioned earlier in the chapter.
He caught sight of himself in the mirror over the basin.
...
'You're
fighting a losing battle there, dear,' said his mirror in a wheezy
voice."
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It's a magical talking mirror. The mirror is literally commenting on (if I remember correctly) his attempt to comb his hair.
– Roger Lipscombe
9 hours ago
1
@RogerLipscombe but Why "HIS mirror"? It's not really Harry's. It belongs to the Leaky Caudron I think.
– dan
9 hours ago
4
@RogerLipscombe I think is related to how we say "my room" when you are talking about your hotel room, "his room" =>"the mirror in his room" =>"his mirror"
– Dzyann
8 hours ago
4
@dan Yes, as a native speaker, referring to the mirror in his hotel room as “his mirror” is expected and “the mirror in his room” seems unnecessarily wordy. Certainly not wrong but seems like it might be trying to emphasize the transitory nature of the hotel stay, rather than being neutral. Puts me in mind of a fugitive on the run.
– KRyan
6 hours ago
2
Temporary possession is a real thing. At an office, you may refer to 'my' desk and 'my' laptop, but you don't actually own those things - they are temporarily under your control. The mirror is 'his' because he temporarily controls the room.
– Brian R
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
The world of Harry Potter's books is full of wizardly items that include talking portraits and magical mirrors. Probably it was a mirror like the one depicted in Snowwhite's tale, a talking magical mirror showing Harry's image but with his own voice and thoughts.
You seem to have some doubts about the use of his. Let's check the dictionaries
his
belonging to or connected with a man, boy, or male animal that has just been mentioned or is known about
belong
synonyms: be owned by, be the property of, be the possession of, be in
the ownership of, be held by, be at the disposal of, be in the
hands of
The mirror is located in the room assigned to Harry. It's not exactly Harry's property, he hasn't bought nor rented the room but we say that it's his room. In the same way, the mirror placed in that room is Harry's mirror, his mirror.
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
I'd like to give a different take on this. The OED defines mirror as both a reflective surface, and:
A person or thing embodying a feature or characteristic deserving imitation; a pattern; an exemplar.
(For example: "In the eyes of Victoria he was the mirror of manly beauty.")
In this case, Harry's reflection is a mirror of Harry himself. Since Harry is the one causing the reflection, you could call it "his mirror" just as you would say "his shadow" or "his footprints."
So "his mirror" is just another way of saying "his doppelganger," "his double" or in this case, "his reflection."
New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
11
down vote
It's not a figurative mirror - there is a real talking mirror in Harry's room at the Leaky Cauldron which is mentioned earlier in the chapter.
He caught sight of himself in the mirror over the basin.
...
'You're
fighting a losing battle there, dear,' said his mirror in a wheezy
voice."
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It's a magical talking mirror. The mirror is literally commenting on (if I remember correctly) his attempt to comb his hair.
– Roger Lipscombe
9 hours ago
1
@RogerLipscombe but Why "HIS mirror"? It's not really Harry's. It belongs to the Leaky Caudron I think.
– dan
9 hours ago
4
@RogerLipscombe I think is related to how we say "my room" when you are talking about your hotel room, "his room" =>"the mirror in his room" =>"his mirror"
– Dzyann
8 hours ago
4
@dan Yes, as a native speaker, referring to the mirror in his hotel room as “his mirror” is expected and “the mirror in his room” seems unnecessarily wordy. Certainly not wrong but seems like it might be trying to emphasize the transitory nature of the hotel stay, rather than being neutral. Puts me in mind of a fugitive on the run.
– KRyan
6 hours ago
2
Temporary possession is a real thing. At an office, you may refer to 'my' desk and 'my' laptop, but you don't actually own those things - they are temporarily under your control. The mirror is 'his' because he temporarily controls the room.
– Brian R
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
It's not a figurative mirror - there is a real talking mirror in Harry's room at the Leaky Cauldron which is mentioned earlier in the chapter.
He caught sight of himself in the mirror over the basin.
...
'You're
fighting a losing battle there, dear,' said his mirror in a wheezy
voice."
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It's a magical talking mirror. The mirror is literally commenting on (if I remember correctly) his attempt to comb his hair.
– Roger Lipscombe
9 hours ago
1
@RogerLipscombe but Why "HIS mirror"? It's not really Harry's. It belongs to the Leaky Caudron I think.
– dan
9 hours ago
4
@RogerLipscombe I think is related to how we say "my room" when you are talking about your hotel room, "his room" =>"the mirror in his room" =>"his mirror"
– Dzyann
8 hours ago
4
@dan Yes, as a native speaker, referring to the mirror in his hotel room as “his mirror” is expected and “the mirror in his room” seems unnecessarily wordy. Certainly not wrong but seems like it might be trying to emphasize the transitory nature of the hotel stay, rather than being neutral. Puts me in mind of a fugitive on the run.
– KRyan
6 hours ago
2
Temporary possession is a real thing. At an office, you may refer to 'my' desk and 'my' laptop, but you don't actually own those things - they are temporarily under your control. The mirror is 'his' because he temporarily controls the room.
– Brian R
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
up vote
11
down vote
It's not a figurative mirror - there is a real talking mirror in Harry's room at the Leaky Cauldron which is mentioned earlier in the chapter.
He caught sight of himself in the mirror over the basin.
...
'You're
fighting a losing battle there, dear,' said his mirror in a wheezy
voice."
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It's not a figurative mirror - there is a real talking mirror in Harry's room at the Leaky Cauldron which is mentioned earlier in the chapter.
He caught sight of himself in the mirror over the basin.
...
'You're
fighting a losing battle there, dear,' said his mirror in a wheezy
voice."
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 9 hours ago
RubioRic
3,6081930
3,6081930
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 10 hours ago
Anti
1112
1112
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Anti is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It's a magical talking mirror. The mirror is literally commenting on (if I remember correctly) his attempt to comb his hair.
– Roger Lipscombe
9 hours ago
1
@RogerLipscombe but Why "HIS mirror"? It's not really Harry's. It belongs to the Leaky Caudron I think.
– dan
9 hours ago
4
@RogerLipscombe I think is related to how we say "my room" when you are talking about your hotel room, "his room" =>"the mirror in his room" =>"his mirror"
– Dzyann
8 hours ago
4
@dan Yes, as a native speaker, referring to the mirror in his hotel room as “his mirror” is expected and “the mirror in his room” seems unnecessarily wordy. Certainly not wrong but seems like it might be trying to emphasize the transitory nature of the hotel stay, rather than being neutral. Puts me in mind of a fugitive on the run.
– KRyan
6 hours ago
2
Temporary possession is a real thing. At an office, you may refer to 'my' desk and 'my' laptop, but you don't actually own those things - they are temporarily under your control. The mirror is 'his' because he temporarily controls the room.
– Brian R
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
2
It's a magical talking mirror. The mirror is literally commenting on (if I remember correctly) his attempt to comb his hair.
– Roger Lipscombe
9 hours ago
1
@RogerLipscombe but Why "HIS mirror"? It's not really Harry's. It belongs to the Leaky Caudron I think.
– dan
9 hours ago
4
@RogerLipscombe I think is related to how we say "my room" when you are talking about your hotel room, "his room" =>"the mirror in his room" =>"his mirror"
– Dzyann
8 hours ago
4
@dan Yes, as a native speaker, referring to the mirror in his hotel room as “his mirror” is expected and “the mirror in his room” seems unnecessarily wordy. Certainly not wrong but seems like it might be trying to emphasize the transitory nature of the hotel stay, rather than being neutral. Puts me in mind of a fugitive on the run.
– KRyan
6 hours ago
2
Temporary possession is a real thing. At an office, you may refer to 'my' desk and 'my' laptop, but you don't actually own those things - they are temporarily under your control. The mirror is 'his' because he temporarily controls the room.
– Brian R
4 hours ago
2
2
It's a magical talking mirror. The mirror is literally commenting on (if I remember correctly) his attempt to comb his hair.
– Roger Lipscombe
9 hours ago
It's a magical talking mirror. The mirror is literally commenting on (if I remember correctly) his attempt to comb his hair.
– Roger Lipscombe
9 hours ago
1
1
@RogerLipscombe but Why "HIS mirror"? It's not really Harry's. It belongs to the Leaky Caudron I think.
– dan
9 hours ago
@RogerLipscombe but Why "HIS mirror"? It's not really Harry's. It belongs to the Leaky Caudron I think.
– dan
9 hours ago
4
4
@RogerLipscombe I think is related to how we say "my room" when you are talking about your hotel room, "his room" =>"the mirror in his room" =>"his mirror"
– Dzyann
8 hours ago
@RogerLipscombe I think is related to how we say "my room" when you are talking about your hotel room, "his room" =>"the mirror in his room" =>"his mirror"
– Dzyann
8 hours ago
4
4
@dan Yes, as a native speaker, referring to the mirror in his hotel room as “his mirror” is expected and “the mirror in his room” seems unnecessarily wordy. Certainly not wrong but seems like it might be trying to emphasize the transitory nature of the hotel stay, rather than being neutral. Puts me in mind of a fugitive on the run.
– KRyan
6 hours ago
@dan Yes, as a native speaker, referring to the mirror in his hotel room as “his mirror” is expected and “the mirror in his room” seems unnecessarily wordy. Certainly not wrong but seems like it might be trying to emphasize the transitory nature of the hotel stay, rather than being neutral. Puts me in mind of a fugitive on the run.
– KRyan
6 hours ago
2
2
Temporary possession is a real thing. At an office, you may refer to 'my' desk and 'my' laptop, but you don't actually own those things - they are temporarily under your control. The mirror is 'his' because he temporarily controls the room.
– Brian R
4 hours ago
Temporary possession is a real thing. At an office, you may refer to 'my' desk and 'my' laptop, but you don't actually own those things - they are temporarily under your control. The mirror is 'his' because he temporarily controls the room.
– Brian R
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
The world of Harry Potter's books is full of wizardly items that include talking portraits and magical mirrors. Probably it was a mirror like the one depicted in Snowwhite's tale, a talking magical mirror showing Harry's image but with his own voice and thoughts.
You seem to have some doubts about the use of his. Let's check the dictionaries
his
belonging to or connected with a man, boy, or male animal that has just been mentioned or is known about
belong
synonyms: be owned by, be the property of, be the possession of, be in
the ownership of, be held by, be at the disposal of, be in the
hands of
The mirror is located in the room assigned to Harry. It's not exactly Harry's property, he hasn't bought nor rented the room but we say that it's his room. In the same way, the mirror placed in that room is Harry's mirror, his mirror.
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
The world of Harry Potter's books is full of wizardly items that include talking portraits and magical mirrors. Probably it was a mirror like the one depicted in Snowwhite's tale, a talking magical mirror showing Harry's image but with his own voice and thoughts.
You seem to have some doubts about the use of his. Let's check the dictionaries
his
belonging to or connected with a man, boy, or male animal that has just been mentioned or is known about
belong
synonyms: be owned by, be the property of, be the possession of, be in
the ownership of, be held by, be at the disposal of, be in the
hands of
The mirror is located in the room assigned to Harry. It's not exactly Harry's property, he hasn't bought nor rented the room but we say that it's his room. In the same way, the mirror placed in that room is Harry's mirror, his mirror.
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
The world of Harry Potter's books is full of wizardly items that include talking portraits and magical mirrors. Probably it was a mirror like the one depicted in Snowwhite's tale, a talking magical mirror showing Harry's image but with his own voice and thoughts.
You seem to have some doubts about the use of his. Let's check the dictionaries
his
belonging to or connected with a man, boy, or male animal that has just been mentioned or is known about
belong
synonyms: be owned by, be the property of, be the possession of, be in
the ownership of, be held by, be at the disposal of, be in the
hands of
The mirror is located in the room assigned to Harry. It's not exactly Harry's property, he hasn't bought nor rented the room but we say that it's his room. In the same way, the mirror placed in that room is Harry's mirror, his mirror.
The world of Harry Potter's books is full of wizardly items that include talking portraits and magical mirrors. Probably it was a mirror like the one depicted in Snowwhite's tale, a talking magical mirror showing Harry's image but with his own voice and thoughts.
You seem to have some doubts about the use of his. Let's check the dictionaries
his
belonging to or connected with a man, boy, or male animal that has just been mentioned or is known about
belong
synonyms: be owned by, be the property of, be the possession of, be in
the ownership of, be held by, be at the disposal of, be in the
hands of
The mirror is located in the room assigned to Harry. It's not exactly Harry's property, he hasn't bought nor rented the room but we say that it's his room. In the same way, the mirror placed in that room is Harry's mirror, his mirror.
edited 8 hours ago
answered 11 hours ago
RubioRic
3,6081930
3,6081930
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
I'd like to give a different take on this. The OED defines mirror as both a reflective surface, and:
A person or thing embodying a feature or characteristic deserving imitation; a pattern; an exemplar.
(For example: "In the eyes of Victoria he was the mirror of manly beauty.")
In this case, Harry's reflection is a mirror of Harry himself. Since Harry is the one causing the reflection, you could call it "his mirror" just as you would say "his shadow" or "his footprints."
So "his mirror" is just another way of saying "his doppelganger," "his double" or in this case, "his reflection."
New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
I'd like to give a different take on this. The OED defines mirror as both a reflective surface, and:
A person or thing embodying a feature or characteristic deserving imitation; a pattern; an exemplar.
(For example: "In the eyes of Victoria he was the mirror of manly beauty.")
In this case, Harry's reflection is a mirror of Harry himself. Since Harry is the one causing the reflection, you could call it "his mirror" just as you would say "his shadow" or "his footprints."
So "his mirror" is just another way of saying "his doppelganger," "his double" or in this case, "his reflection."
New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I'd like to give a different take on this. The OED defines mirror as both a reflective surface, and:
A person or thing embodying a feature or characteristic deserving imitation; a pattern; an exemplar.
(For example: "In the eyes of Victoria he was the mirror of manly beauty.")
In this case, Harry's reflection is a mirror of Harry himself. Since Harry is the one causing the reflection, you could call it "his mirror" just as you would say "his shadow" or "his footprints."
So "his mirror" is just another way of saying "his doppelganger," "his double" or in this case, "his reflection."
New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'd like to give a different take on this. The OED defines mirror as both a reflective surface, and:
A person or thing embodying a feature or characteristic deserving imitation; a pattern; an exemplar.
(For example: "In the eyes of Victoria he was the mirror of manly beauty.")
In this case, Harry's reflection is a mirror of Harry himself. Since Harry is the one causing the reflection, you could call it "his mirror" just as you would say "his shadow" or "his footprints."
So "his mirror" is just another way of saying "his doppelganger," "his double" or in this case, "his reflection."
New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 3 hours ago
scohe001
1113
1113
New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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