Death Eaters: Etymology--& Dark Mark & Snape

[entropymail]

No: HPFGUIDX 80277

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Amanda" <editor at t...> wrote:
<snip>
> > The term "Death Eaters" have always puzzled me a bit, JKR isn't one 
> to
> > take names lightly, and on the other hand, it doesn't really make
> > sense (whaddayamean, eating death?) So, here's a hypothesis (not 
> quite
> > a full-fledged theory yet):
> 
> Good thoughts. It is part of JKR's genius that she can pull names and 
> terms from the collective unconscious that "fit" so very well with 
> the ambience, atmosphere, and "feel" of their targets. They plug so 
> well in with so many related ripples and echoes, only some of which 
> she is aware of.

Also noticed that one of Trelawney's many bogus prophecies (I believe
in GoF) mentions something about seeing the "vultures circling", which
seems to bring to mind the image of the Death Eaters' circle that
forms later in that book (in the graveyard).  And, of course, those
carrion eating vultures can literally be seen as "death-eaters".

Just a thought,
Entropy