OOP: Metaphors in the WW WAS Re: ADMIN: - Frequently Asked Questions

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 66794


> Grey Wolf, as the FAQer, said:
> > · What the deuce is the Black Veil?
> > 
> > The Black Veil is a very common representation of death. To 
> > cross the Veil is a way of describing death. 'To go beyond the 
> > veil' is another common phrase.
> > 
> > · What killed Sirius?
> > 
> > Probably crossing the veil (see "the black veil", above). 
> 
> Morgan D. asks:
> 
> Since the explanation is that Sirius died because he fell through 
> a  metaphor, does that mean that if instead of a veil the Death  
> Chamber contained a bucket, and Sirius had accidentally kicked 
> said bucket and immediately dropped dead, that would have been 
> acceptable in terms of a good plot resolution?
> 
> Just a question.

And a good one. 

Speaking for myself, rather than using the FAQ tea cosy, I think 
that words seem to have power in the Potterverse. 'Accio' summons a 
life saving Portkey, calling a Boggart 'Riddikulus' destroys it. 
Then there's the character names - Lupin the lupine werewolf, Sirius 
the bright star of the family of Black magicians, Dolores Umbridge 
who gives grief and takes umbrage.

Sirius has been a metaphor of approaching death since he arrived in 
PoA. His animagus form resembles the Grim, that symbol of 
approaching death. He then asks the children to call him 'Snuff'les. 
In hindsight, JKR could only have made it clearer if she'd also 
had 'dead meat' tattooed on his forehead. ;-)

[Thanks to the listmember who pointed out the Snuffles link - I'm 
afraid that in the 2000 posts since, I've forgotten your name].

So no, it wouldn't surprise me at all that Sirius died because he 
fell through a metaphor. Or that the WW would signal a room filled 
with death by *using* a metaphor. It happens all the time in the 
Potterverse.



If you hate that idea, it's not the only alternative suggested in 
the FAQ. We're warned by McGonagall's hospitalisation that Stunning 
spells can kill; it's possible that the spell Sirius had just taken 
in the chest was a direct hit on the heart

::Grins cheerfully::

Has anyone got a bucket? Maybe we could try an experiment with 
Draco ... ;-)

Pip!Squeak