Of identities and truth

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 38933

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Amanda Geist" <editor at t...> wrote:
 
> Has anyone noticed that people associated with Voldemort seem to 
spend an awful lot of time faking identities? It's as if Voldemort's 
path leads you away from the truth of yourself. Whereas the Other Side 
seems to be about learning the truth of yourself and controlling it 
(*cough* Snape *cough*).>

I love this, my fellow geist!  As soon as I read your post two other 
characters came to mind, but we don't know if they are associated with 
Voldemort.  I think most of us, at the very least, though, would agree 
that neither of these characters are definitely on the side of Good.

Rita Skeeter - she knows she is not allowed on the grounds of 
Hogwarts, so she relies on her *illegal* animagus identity to get the 
information (albeit exaggerated and not always true) she wants.  Her 
motives may not be pure evil, but they sure are selfish.

Professor Trelawney - I wouldn't say that she fakes her identities, 
but she is the biggest phony around.  She puts on a big show for her 
students to gain their admiration and to intimidate them.  When she 
really does See, she denies it, not acknowledging at least a part of 
her identity, preferring to stay with the persona she has so carefully 
developed.  Once again, I don't think she is evil or one of 
Voldemort's hench - uh - women, but she is by no means nice, honest or 
interested in learning the truth of herself.

Deception is definitely a theme in HP; and JKR so far seems to saying 
that those who try to deceive don't get away with it.  I'm curious to 
see, in keeping with Amanda's speculations, if Harry and Co. will need 
to be the deceivers at some point and how that will work out for them.

--jenny from ravenclaw **********************