A Theory of Essences

[theadimail]

No: HPFGUIDX 112325

Hi,
   One of the interesting features about the Sorting Hat is that it 
selects people based on qualities that are essential to them and not 
whether these particular qualities are manifest at the time of 
sorting or not. A good example of this would be Neville who at the 
start of the series was a timid kid but now has come to be one of the 
most courageous of the lot. How does the hat do it?
  Well, my guess is JKR would say there are essences to each one of 
us. And it is this essence that hat looks for when it is sorting. And 
further, JKR says that the essences once spilled cannot be retrieved, 
as in the murtlap scene in book5. 
  I do not know whether JKR has used this point in the construction 
of plots but this can explain a lot of things. Such as ghosts. I mean 
persons cannot come back from death because death takes away the 
essence of one's being. Therefore the ghosts who stay behind are only 
able to do so by having somehow the accidental qualities left behind 
even after their essences have passed on.
  How would this affect the series? I think the death of Voldemort 
can be brought by finding and striking at his essence. Since his 
essence is ambition gone astray or evil, it can be struck down by 
love or good, the power which Harry will find in the locked room.

Bye,
Adi