--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why do you think--?” “--Dumbledore wanted…" description: "\"“Why do you think--?” “--Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?” said Harry, struggling to keep his temper. “Maybe he thought it would look nice on my..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/j-k-rowling-86_harry_why-do-you-think-dumbledore-wanted-to-gi_571759.png" --- # Why do you think--?” “--Dumbledore wanted to give me the… ![“Why do you think--?” “--Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?” said Harry, struggling to keep his temper. “Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall.” “This is not a joke, Potter!” growled Scimgeour. “Was it because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat…” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/j-k-rowling-86_harry_why-do-you-think-dumbledore-wanted-to-gi_571759.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/j-k-rowling-86_harry_why-do-you-think-dumbledore-wanted-to-gi_571759.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/j-k-rowling-86_harry_why-do-you-think-dumbledore-wanted-to-gi_571759.png) > ““Why do you think--?” “--Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?” said Harry, struggling to keep his temper. “Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall.” “This is not a joke, Potter!” growled Scimgeour. “Was it because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Did he wish to give you that sword, Potter, because he believed, as do many, that you are the one destined to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?” “Interesting theory,” said Harry. “Has anyone ever tried sticking a sword in Voldemort?”” [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Harry questions the motives behind Dumbledore’s gift, questioning whether it is symbolic or strategic in the fight against evil. **In simple terms:** Harry wonders why Dumbledore gave the sword and what it means. Key Takeaway Consider the deeper purpose behind gifts. Themes friendship trust destiny power war Mood curious tense reflective Type dialogue literary philosophical When to use this quote - Wizarding school - battle planning - personal growth - leadership decisions Key Concepts Symbolism Leadership Prophecy MoralChoice Questions to Reflect On - What does receiving a powerful object reveal about you? - How do symbols influence morale in conflict? A Different Perspective The sword may also be a test of character, not just a weapon. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“So where is it?” Harry asked suspiciously. “Unfortunately,” said Scrimgeour, “that sword was not Dumbledore’s to give away. The sword of Godric Gryffindor is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/so-where-is-it-harry-asked-suspiciously-unfortunately-said-scrimgeour/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“it was exactly as he had felt after Ron left. He had trusted Dumbledore, believed him the embodiment of goodness and wisdom. All was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/it-was-exactly-as-he-had-felt-after-ron-left-he-had-trusted/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Harry, come back in the house,” Hermione whispered. “You aren’t still thinking of leaving?” “Yeah, you’ve got to stay, mate,” said Ron, thumping Harry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-come-back-in-the-house-hermione-whispered-you-aren-t-still/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [Interesting theory. Has anyone ever tried sticking a sword in Voldemort? Maybe the Ministry should put some people onto that, instead of wasting their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/interesting-theory-has-anyone-ever-tried-sticking-a-sword-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“William focused on her, opened his mouth, closed it. Seeing the weapon strapped to her back and peeking over her shoulder samurai-style, he frowned.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/william-focused-on-her-opened-his-mouth-closed-it-seeing-the-weapon/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [“I need a sword first," I said. "People here keep taking mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-a-nielsen/i-need-a-sword-first-i-said-people-here-keep-taking-mine/) [Jennifer A. Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-a-nielsen/) > [“The days sported by us, as if Time had not grown up himself yet, but were a child too, and always at play. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-days-sported-by-us-as-if-time-had-not-grown-up-himself-yet-but/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“Perrotte frowned. “I’d like to turn a plowshare into a sword ,” she said. “I’d cut our way out of those thorns, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrie-haskell/perrotte-frowned-i-d-like-to-turn-a-plowshare-into-a-sword-she-said-i/) [Merrie Haskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merrie-haskell/) > [“Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England. Then the people marvelled, and told it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-thomas-mallory/whoso-pulleth-out-this-sword-of-this-stone-and-anvil-is-rightwise-2/) Sir Thomas Mallory > [Tanith has a sword.' said Valkyrie. 'I want a stick.' 'I'll get you a stick for Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/tanith-has-a-sword-said-valkyrie-i-want-a-stick-i-ll-get-you-a-stick/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“I have a chance to chance to trade my bicycle for a sword," said Peter. "I want to make sure the sure the sword…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-j-sobol/i-have-a-chance-to-chance-to-trade-my-bicycle-for-a-sword-said-peter/) [Donald J. Sobol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-j-sobol/) > [“You can't give her that!' she screamed. 'It's not safe!' IT'S A SWORD, said the Hogfather. THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE. 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When Ogier raised it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/cortana-he-said-made-by-wayland-the-smith-the-legendary-forger-of/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by J.K. Rowling > [“Our Chasers Aren’t Cheating! That was the stunned reaction of Quidditch fans across Britain last night when the so-called “Stooging Penalty” was announced by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/our-chasers-aren-t-cheating-that-was-the-stunned-reaction-of/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were still shining.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/snape-pointed-at-the-parchment-on-which-the-words-of-messrs-moony/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [ “Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus \[ never tickle a sleeping dragon \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/draco-dormiens-nunquam-titillandus-never-tickle-a-sleeping-dragon/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“An intense cold swept over them all. Harry felt his own breath catch in his chest. The cold went deeper than his skin. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/an-intense-cold-swept-over-them-all-harry-felt-his-own-breath-catch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“If you're not Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," said Ron, "but no pressure." "Ron!" Lily and Hugo laughed, but Albus and Rose looked solemn. "He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/if-you-re-not-gryffindor-we-ll-disinherit-you-said-ron-but-no/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“You want to give it a look, Xeno is printing all the stuff the Prophet’s ignoring, not a single mention of Crumple-Horned Snorkacks in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/you-want-to-give-it-a-look-xeno-is-printing-all-the-stuff-the-prophet/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Sellotape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/he-wore-round-glasses-held-together-with-a-lot-of-sellotape-because/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher,’” Harry read. “How’re we supposed to get up there?” As though in answer to his question, the trapdoor suddenly opened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/sybill-trelawney-divination-teacher-harry-read-how-re-we-supposed-to/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Harry et Ron furent enchantés d’entendre Hagrid qualifier Rusard de « vieille ganache ».”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-et-ron-furent-enchant-s-d-entendre-hagrid-qualifier-rusard-de/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-said/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“There was no waking from this nightmare, no comforting whisper in the dark that he was safe really, that it was all in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/there-was-no-waking-from-this-nightmare-no-comforting-whisper-in-the/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well, I reckon you should --" Ron began, but he was interrupted by the Fat Lady, who had been watching them sleepily and now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-reckon-you-should-ron-began-but-he-was-interrupted-by-the-fat/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“LOOK AT THIS SNAKE!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/look-at-this-snake/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Psst!” said a voice, and he looked around to see a wispy little witch and the ferrety wizard from Magical Maintenance gesturing to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/psst-said-a-voice-and-he-looked-around-to-see-a-wispy-little-witch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) [Explore all 1,347 J.K. Rowling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## More Harry quotes > [Hats off to starting a franchise younger than we all did in 'Twilight' and keeping your cool. The 'Harry Potter' men and women had,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellan-lutz/hats-off-to-starting-a-franchise-younger-than-we-all-did-in-twilight/) [Kellan Lutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellan-lutz/) > [“Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were still shining.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/snape-pointed-at-the-parchment-on-which-the-words-of-messrs-moony/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“But I really am Ravenclaw, you know, not Slytherin. I don't want to rule the universe. I just think it could be more sensibly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/but-i-really-am-ravenclaw-you-know-not-slytherin-i-don-t-want-to-rule/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-aunt-and-uncle-will-be-proud-though-won-t-they-said-hermione-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Harry Truman wrote scathing letters, but he almost never sent them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/harry-truman-wrote-scathing-letters-but-he-almost-never-sent-them/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/witness-for-the-defense-albus-percival-wulfric-brian-dumbledore/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher,’” Harry read. “How’re we supposed to get up there?” As though in answer to his question, the trapdoor suddenly opened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/sybill-trelawney-divination-teacher-harry-read-how-re-we-supposed-to/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Harry et Ron furent enchantés d’entendre Hagrid qualifier Rusard de « vieille ganache ».”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-et-ron-furent-enchant-s-d-entendre-hagrid-qualifier-rusard-de/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“I'll join you when Hell freezes over," said Neville. "Dumbledore's Army!" he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-ll-join-you-when-hell-freezes-over-said-neville-dumbledore-s-army/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Psst!” said a voice, and he looked around to see a wispy little witch and the ferrety wizard from Magical Maintenance gesturing to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/psst-said-a-voice-and-he-looked-around-to-see-a-wispy-little-witch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“He who is destined for the gallows will not drown, as we say in Norwegian,” Harry said. “What?” “I agree.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-nesb/he-who-is-destined-for-the-gallows-will-not-drown-as-we-say-in/) [Jo Nesbø](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-nesb/) > [“Gryffindor is the courageous one right? I mean, I’m here because I have the balls to tell adults when they’re douche bags, so yeah,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trish-cook-brendan-halpin/gryffindor-is-the-courageous-one-right-i-mean-i-m-here-because-i-have/) [Trish Cook, Brendan Halpin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trish-cook-brendan-halpin/) > [I think Deborah Harry has a really sexy, cool and quite playful sex-kitten kind of style I really like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bat-for-lashes/i-think-deborah-harry-has-a-really-sexy-cool-and-quite-playful-sex/) [Bat for Lashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bat-for-lashes/) > [“As Amycus spun around, Harry shouted, “ Crucio! ” The Death Eater was lifted off his feet. He writhed through the air like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/as-amycus-spun-around-harry-shouted-crucio-the-death-eater-was-lifted/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) Browse all 1,108 Harry quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Why do you think--?” “--Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?” said Harry, struggling to keep his temper. “Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall.” “This is not a joke, Potter!” growled Scimgeour. “Was it because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Did he wish to give you that sword, Potter, because he believed, as do many, that you are the one destined to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?” “Interesting theory,” said Harry. “Has anyone ever tried sticking a sword in Voldemort?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.K. 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