It might be a burning-bush type of thing where the hero doesn’t get ‘used up’ by the phoenix. The metaphor is still strong enough that, in my opinion, phoenixes should work like that.
I just thought the wording of ‘phoenix’s price’ was auspicious, I agree that that’s an interesting and poetic idea. (And looking back through, the fire symbolism is even more robust than I remembered.)
Problem: Dumbledore (who presumably should know) says in Chapter 62
“Harry,” whispered the old wizard, “phoenixes do not understand how winning a battle can lose a war.” Tears were streaming down the old wizard’s cheeks, dripping into his silver beard. “The battle is all they know. They are good, but not wise. That is why they choose wizards to be their masters.”
Edit: Does that make it clearer? I just thought the quote seemed to indicate a relationship other than ‘use as fuel for reproduction’.
It might be a burning-bush type of thing where the hero doesn’t get ‘used up’ by the phoenix. The metaphor is still strong enough that, in my opinion, phoenixes should work like that.
I just thought the wording of ‘phoenix’s price’ was auspicious, I agree that that’s an interesting and poetic idea. (And looking back through, the fire symbolism is even more robust than I remembered.)
Problem: Dumbledore (who presumably should know) says in Chapter 62
Edit: Does that make it clearer? I just thought the quote seemed to indicate a relationship other than ‘use as fuel for reproduction’.
Okay, I think I see now.
I don’t think that Dumbledore knows as much about phoenixes as he thinks he does.
I don’t see what that quote has to do with fire symbolism.
Fire burns its fuel.
The inexorable conclusion is that phoenixes are fueled… by evil!
Edited for clarity.