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.










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    up vote
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    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.










    share|improve this question

























      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.










      share|improve this question
















      ... 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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      edited 14 hours ago

























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      dan

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          3 Answers
          3






          active

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          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."







          share|improve this answer










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          • 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


















          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.






          share|improve this answer





























            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."






            share|improve this answer








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              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

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              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."







              share|improve this answer










              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















              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."







              share|improve this answer










              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













              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."







              share|improve this answer










              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."








              share|improve this answer










              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.









              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 9 hours ago









              RubioRic

              3,6081930




              3,6081930






              New contributor




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              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













              • 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













              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.






              share|improve this answer


























                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.






                share|improve this answer
























                  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.






                  share|improve this answer














                  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.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 8 hours ago

























                  answered 11 hours ago









                  RubioRic

                  3,6081930




                  3,6081930




















                      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."






                      share|improve this answer








                      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.





















                        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."






                        share|improve this answer








                        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.



















                          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."






                          share|improve this answer








                          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."







                          share|improve this answer








                          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.









                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer






                          New contributor




                          scohe001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                          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.






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