Number of DEs in Graveyard (was Re: Voldemort's recruitment . ..)

[kittykataddict]

No: HPFGUIDX 128903


> > a_svirn wrote:
> > > There were about 30 DE in the Graveyard, and we've been 
> > > told only about a dozen names. 
> > 
> > Rebecca:
> > Were there 30 in the graveyard? From the description in the 
> > book it seems like 20 at the most, though I could be mistaken. 
> 
> a_svirn:
> That was at the beginning at the Chapter 34:
> 
> "<snip> and what use would it be to deprive Voldemort of his 
> wand, even if he could, when he was surrounded by Death Eaters, 
> outnumbered by at least thirty to one?"


In a stressful situation, particularly when death seems imminent 
and especially in the dark, I think the human mind has a habit of 
exaggerating the threat. Ten people can look like fifty. I would 
like to think JKR is aware of this and uses it most effectively 
to accentuate the sense of danger Our Boy feels in his current 
predicament. We are seeing the World through Harry's eyes - which 
of us can claim, with conviction, that the way we see things is as 
they truly are? (and if you can - the men in white coats are just 
around the corner...). How much time do you think he had to count 
the number of adversaries? It's all about perspective - at least 
this is the theory I've applied to the several numbers/names/figures 
discrepancies I've come across in the books. Does it really matter 
how many DEs there were? Is it important to the plot-line? When a 
few get wiped out, I'm sure some more will appear to fit the story. 
In the end, it only matters what JKR wants us to see and when she 
will allow us to see it.

T