Dobby is an imperative character to the Chamber of Secrets. I am referring to deconstruction as a method of analyzing language (conversations, words, dialogue, etc.,) in which language can be read in a different way than it typically is. For example, if someone was to use the word, “focused”, I would read it in a context that analyzes the individual word, or if a word was italicized, I would deconstruct the word and sentence it is in and analyze “why” the word was specifically used in italics. The point of deconstructing language in itself provides great value because it gives readers insights beyond the typical, surface level reading.
In this case, I analyze Dobby’s language in the beginning of the book to show how he foreshadows danger more than just his obvious phrases (See, you can deconstruct why I italicized “obvious”). In the beginning of chapter 2, Dobby comes into Harry’s room and introduces himself, and then proceeds to giving Harry a warning:
But Dobby has come to protect Harry Potter, to warn him, even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later… Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts… Harry Potter must stay where he is safe. He is too great, too good to lose. If Harry Potter goes back to Hogwarts, he will be in mortal danger…
When it comes to using deconstruction, words always refer to other words. Therefore, language is unstable and referential in an infinite-like manner. This means that words can refer to other words because of the fact that all language is connected by meaning, and meaning is created with words (Signs and signifiers, as Derrida puts it). When reading a book or text, it is important to be able to deconstruct language because it helps dive deeper into the meanings of a text. In this case, I am examining the language that Rowling uses to hint at the dangers that Harry would face in the near future and how Dobby tries to prevent Harry from going to Hogwarts for his second year. Particular attention to the entire phrase, “Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts” is key here because Dobby is trying to prevent Harry from going to Hogwarts because Voldemort poses a threat again toward Harry’s life. But why exactly is the entire phrase italicized? Why couldn’t it just be the word “not”? Well, to answer the question, I would say that the imperativeness of such a phrase must not be understated by Dobby (or Rowling for the matter). The fact that it is italicized completely foreshadows a danger, and it also stakes that Hogwarts isn’t safe, even if it is protected by the most powerful wizard, Albus. The fact that Hogwarts, which is supposed to be a safe haven for Harry, is undermined by Dobby’s warning really is emphasized by the use of italics. The reason why italics are so important is because it sheds light on how the person reads it. In my interpretation, I glanced at how Hogwarts was not considered safe, even before Dobby actually gets to the part where he wants to tell Harry that Voldemort is back. It can be implied that he wanted to say this, but he didn’t end up saying it for some reason.
Overall, Rowling uses LOTS of italics, and it is important for the reader to be able to read between the lines (literally and figuratively) through the analysis and deconstruction of the language she uses.