What is worse than death? (was Voldemort: Between Life and Death? (Long)

[inkling108]

No: HPFGUIDX 110227

Alla wrote:
> 
> You know, your post is very intriguing and one of the those which 
I 
> think will make me reevaluate the meaning of Dumbledore's 'Indeed, 
> your failure to understand that there are things much worse than 
> death has always been your greates weakness..." OoP, p.814, 
paperback.
> 
> I used to think these words refer to the punishment worse than 
death, 
> which Tom will receive for his sins in the future.(yes, hopefully 
> from Harry)
> 
> It is quite possible that Voldie is already in the state worse 
than 
> death, he just is not aware of it yet. 
> 
>Thank you!

You're very welcome, Alla!  Yes, I do believe that Voldy, in his 
zeal to conquer death (Vol de Mort = flight from death) has brought 
something worse upon himself.  Does he understand what has happened 
to him?  It seems not.  In GoF, he says (referring to his identity 
after the curse failed) "what I was even I do not know...I, who have 
gone further than anybody on the path to immortality."

Interestingly enough, just before the dialogue you cite, Dumbledore 
says  "*We both know* (emphasis mine)that there are other ways of 
destroying a man, Tom."  (other ways than killing, that is).  To 
what knowledge is he referring? Voldy immediately snarls that 
nothing is worse than death.  This angry reaction may be masking a 
fear that Dumbledore is right.  There is something crucial here that 
both Dumbledore and Voldy know, but Voldy is refusing to acknowledge 
it, either out of fear or arrogance.  I think that this same 
knowledge will eventually be used by Harry to destroy Voldemort. 

It is also interesting that Dumbledore, who is an alchemist, tries 
and fails to imprison Voldy using first fire, than water. And what 
is this mysterious spell that makes Voldemort's shield reverberate 
with an "oddly chilling" sound like a gong?

Inkling