Quirrell's "death" in PS/SS

[sadiekat5]

No: HPFGUIDX 40344

Hello all, 

First time poster here, as well.  

I think most of the questions and qualms first brought up in the 
original post have been addressed, but I just wanted to reply to the 
comment about JKR's prose.  

I agree that JKR is very intentional with what she writes.  Along 
those lines, I think her intention in saying "[Voldemort] left 
Quirrell to die" is not so much to leave us hanging as to follow up 
on Voldemort's characterization.  With the phrasing used in the book, 
Voldemort is directly implicated as at least part of the cause of 
Quirrell's death, if not all of it (perhaps because he was unwilling 
to suffer in a weaker body or endure capture).  Further, I believe it 
is also implied that this is done without any remorse or second 
thoughts.  This shows us not only how he treats his enemies, but how 
he treats his allies, indeed his closest of allies--Quirrell who 
allowed Voldemort to inhabit his body.  To say "Quirrell died after 
Voldemort left" removes Voldemort grammatically, whereas "[Voldmort] 
left Quirrell to die" makes he-who-must-not-be-named the subject 
carrying out the action.  

Or perhaps I am taking this too far--the result of too many years in 
college English classes.  

Sadie