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How Does Harry Defeat The Basilisk In 'Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets'?

Reading Chamber of Secrets, I’m still stressed picturing the sword fight in the chamber and Fawkes saving the day. Did others think the phoenix tears were a bit convenient?
2025-06-20 15:18:23
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9 Answers

Best Answer
Twishxa
Twishxa
After Fawkes blinded it with tears of life, Harry solved the problem by simply stabbing it through the roof of the mouth with the Sword of Gryffindor. Classic. And so, I return to my favourite stories where the magical solution isn’t a collective barrage of magic but a singular, clever counter to what seems to be insurmountable power. Currently reading “E.C. EDWARDS - The Mighty Antimagic Spell” in which a whole magical system is based around one single, world changing loophole and the story follows the protagonist in his desperate search for said loophole whilst the world around him is collapsing under the pressure of others’ magic.
2026-08-02
Emily
Emily
I described how Harry Potter fought the Basilisk in this story, and used many words to explain that he had pulled the Sword of Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat that belonged to Fawkes the Phoenix, and then he stabbed the Basilisk through its mouth. The Basilisk's fangs then pierced Harry's arm but were then washed away by the tears of Fawkes before they could kill him.

This scene is filled with symbolism. Harry uses the Sword of Gryffindor to slay the Basilisk, and the Sword represents bravery in desperate situations. Fawkes, of course, is loyalty personified. Ginny had recently been under the Basilisk’s control through its whispers, but Harry resists its power. He saved the day through his choices, which seemed to be destined for him. Dumbledore later notes that the Sword of Gryffindor only appears to true Gryffindors, which explains why it appeared to Harry. The blending of magic, myth and deeply personal character growth is what makes this scene so amazing.
2025-06-22
Mila
Mila
For me, the duel between Harry and the Basilisk in the Chamber was intense mostly because Harry was a defenseless kid up against a monster who killed dozens of Hogwarts students before him. Almost dying from the Basilisk’s venom, and then being saved by Fawkes the phoenix, the small creature made out of light beating the dark creature in the duel is an image I’ll always remember. The sword used by Harry to kill the Basilisk looked almost exactly like Excalibur and that was fitting because the way J.K. Rowling wrote this duel to was typical for her: instead of having Harry use his wits and cast a load of spells at the Basilisk in order to defeat it, he’d have to face it by embracing risk. This is also a major theme in Harry’s development throughout the whole series.
2025-06-23
Bennett
Bennett
Harry fights the Basilisk, as a true Gryffindor, recklessly but resourcefully. He uses the Basilisk’s own reflection in puddles to avoid its deadly stare, a tactic that Ron’s little sister later uses. The Sword of Gryffindor is not just a rather cool, powerful and deadly weapon, it proves that he really is a Gryffindor. Fawkes does more than just heal Harry of his wounds, he also blinds the Basilisk, thus evening up the fight. It’s all a bit of a mess and is a very human, and brutal fight, with no fancy spells involved, just good old survival instincts and a bit of Phoenix magic.
2025-06-24
Owen
Owen
The battle of Harry vs. the Basilisk was pure adrenaline as he fought Basilisk with no wand, a sword, and a bird. The Basilisk’s death somehow brought Ginny back to life as the fight against the Basilisk connected to the power of love. Fawkes’ tears from earlier in the book were a great use of a Chekhov’s gun. Smart writing.
2025-06-25

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