Christ Figures . . .multiple examples

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 98010

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mcdee1980" <mcdee1980 at y...> 
wrote:

Lady McBeth:
> There are several characters that we have seen "rise from the 
dead", 
> literally and figuratively.
> 1) Voldemort has, at the end of GOF, effectively risen from the 
> dead.  His followers were persecuted after his initial downfall.  
He 
> is currently working on his "second coming".

Geoff:
I'm not even sure he has "effectively" risen from the dead...

'"We are not playing hide-and-seek, Harry," said Voldemort's soft, 
cold voice, drawing nearer, as the Death Eaters laughed. "You cannot 
hide from me. Does this mean you are tired of our duel? Does this 
mean that you would prefer me to finish it now, Harry? Come out 
Harry... come out and play, then... it willbe quick... itmoght even 
be painless... I would not know.... I have never died..."'

(GOF "Priori incantatem" pp.574-75 UK edition)

>From the lips of the man himself....

I certainly would not draw any parallels between Voldemort and 
Christ. Possibly between V and Sauron who also became a spirit of 
malice and was unbodied after the downfall of Numenor, except that he 
was a Maia and not human.

Lady McBeth:
> 2) Barty Crouch Jr.: the entire wizarding world thought Crouch had 
> died in Azkhaban.  He reappears in GOF alive and well until the 
> Dementor's kiss

Geoff:
I presume he comes on your figurative list because,as you say, he 
hadn't died at that point in time. "The reports of my death are 
greatly exaggerated".

Lady McBeth:
> 3)  Fawkes has done it twice.  Once in Dumbledore's office and 
later 
> in the Ministry.  He took the shot meant for DD and arguably saved 
> the WW from certain doom.

Geoff:
I can't think of any constructive comment I can make on this one. 
However, I return to the observation I have made before that Harry is 
very much more like a Christian believer than a Christ figure. Coming 
from my position as a Christian (and this might possibly be the case 
with JKR also), I cannot conceive of a Christ figure in the 
characters because Christ was not a mere human - he was God in human 
form. Our WW folk are, like those of us in the Real World, imperfect, 
making the wrong guesses and choices but hopefully most are like 
Harry, trying to get through in one piece and keeping their 
principles and consciences intact; a bit like Frodo (who amazingly 
needed Gollum to fulfil his task) or Christian in "The Pilgrim's 
Progress".