[HPforGrownups] Snakes & Ladders

[James Andrewartha]

No: HPFGUIDX 31874

On Tue, 18 Dec 2001, Heather Moore wrote:
[snip mythology of serpents]
> > I agree with your assessment that the serpent is the
> correct symbol for Tom Riddle, for all the obvious and
> symbolic reasons.  
> > > 
> > BUT, as we have seen, Voldemort wants *more.* He is
> actively trying to transmute himself into something
> more "perfect" and thereby attain immortality as this
> perfected being so that he can rule an also-perfected
> society based on purity and power (thus no muggles or
> sentimental weaklings). He is trying to become a
> (psychotic) Messiah, and the zeal of some of his
> followers (Quirrell, Barty, the Lestranges -  Cue "#1
> Crush" by Garbage) suggests that his more inner
> associates have a cultlike fervor for him and his
> Cause.  
> > > 
>  He *is* the serpent, and he seems to me to be trying
> to utilize or create the Living Stone (who he would
> appear to believe is Harry Potter due to some
> symbology he has mapped onto Harry's parents) in order
> to become the Phoenix. (And from here, I further
> extrapolate that he has promised to extend the
> benefits to his most loyal, accomplished capos.
> Probably doesn't intend to honor it, though, the slick
> talker.)

Ok, I've been vaguely following the alchemical discussion about Harry
being the Living Stone, but what I don't get is how this explains why V
wants Harry dead (when he killed Harry's parents, end of GoF). Basically,
how can Harry be the *living* stone if he's dead? Unless you have to kill
the Living Stone (and then use the corpse somehow) in order to utilize its
powers? Even so, it doesn't really add up, given the stuff that V did when
he had the chance in the graveyard. 


James Andrewartha