HP&theDH Title: People, Places, and Things

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 163124

We have been speculating for a few days on the nature of 
one particular word in the title of the new book. Perhaps
we could take a systematic approach and explore the 
possibilities of each of the possible catagories. Though 
I am quite sure we will never actually resolve it.

I think that should be enought Intro that key words are 
not likely to appear in the summary, so to the point.

I think we can agree that 'Deathly Hallows' is a noun; 
meaning people, places, and things.

Let' start with -

THINGS-

Well the obvious 'things' is the Horcruxes, they are 
certainly tied nicely to 'Deathly', which as has been 
noted several times, is quite different than 'deadly'. The
are objects that are certainly critical to the next and 
final book. Perhaps the simplest answer really is the 
simplest answer.

Other 'things' could be Objects of Power. Objects of Power
are not all that uncommon in fantasy. It is possible the
Harry will have to gather Objects of Power as a means of
gathering strength or perhaps unique power to defeat 
Voldemort. So, in this sense, he is gather object of Good
Power.

It is possible that the /objects/ are objects of Bad Power.
That is, they are objects the Voldemort will gather to aid
himself. In this case, 'deathly' takes on much more 
significants.

It is possible that the 'things' are a combination. That
is the Objects of Power may be objects of power 
specifically of the four founders of Hogwarts. The 
previous books imply that Voldemort selected object that
were already magically powerful, apparently thinking that
magical power would add to the power of his Horcruxes. 
So, perhaps in gathering the Objects of Power of the four
Founders, he will also have to gather at least some of 
the Horcruxes.

I like this idea because gathering all the Horcruxes seems
like such an impossible task. So, perhaps as I have long 
suspected, Harry will not find all the Horcruxes, but he 
will find the critical key Horcruxes. So, having these 
Objects of Power will override, or perhaps overpower, not 
having all the Horcruxes. In a sense, in this scenario, 
needing to destroy all the Horcruxes is something of a Red
Herring. 

If you can think of any additional ways that 'things' 
could be applied, please add them.

PEOPLE-

I think in this case we need to be careful not to take 
the 'Saints' aspect of 'hallow' to much to heart. It 
really mean venerated or revered people, which saints 
certainly are. Yet, I don't think 'saints' literally works
in the wizard world.

Some have specualated Harry will gather his own army of 
undead, but of venerated/good undead. Somehow, he will 
draw on the power of substantail revered by probably dead
people in the wizard world.

Some people have speculated that Harry will call on the 
power of ghosts or spirit; either the Hogwarts 
ghost/spirits or the spirits of the Founders. In a sense,
in gathering the Founders Objects of Power, he is in 
essense calling on the spirits of the spirits of the 
founders themselves. This could also tie together the 
idea of uniting the Houses.

Part of what I am trying to say is that I think we need 
to come up with non-religious more secular applications
of the word 'Hallows'. The 'saintly', 'holy', 'sacred' 
aspect is certainly valid and undeniable, but as I said,
applied in a more secular fashion.

Other have speculated that it could be an organization 
in the wizard world. Perhaps the SS branch of the Death
Eaters. Some have speculated it could be a group working
for the side of good, though I personally  doubt that. It
seems we have the good guys and bad guys already nicely 
divided up, so I don't see the need for any new secret 
organizations to be added. 

Still, if you can think of any way to apply 'people' to
'Deathly Hallows', please feel free to add them. I'm 
trying to get all the ideas we've had so far in one place.

PLACES -

'Hallowed Ground' usually refers to the location of great
historical battles, and/or the resulting graveyards. In 
most cases, graveyards in general are considered 
'hallowed ground'. I suspect if there is hallowed ground
associated with Godrics Hollow, it is more likely 
associated with the graveyard where Harry's parents are
buried. 

Though, others have speculated it might be the location 
of what I will now call 'the Battle of Godrics Hollow' in
which Harry's parents died. Certainly that was important,
but I'm not sure it is significant enough to be considered
'hallowed'. Still, it did result in the Boy Who Lived, 
and who is also the one person with the potential to 
defeat Voldemort, so we can't discount its significants 
all together.

Since the title is 'hallowS' meaning more than one, can
anyone think of away of tying several Hallowed places 
into the story? 

Please, my goal here is to try and gather all the ideas 
we have so far into one thread. If you have more ideas,
or variations in any of these catagories, or if you want 
to expand on an existing idea, please do so, but do so 
by catagory (people, places, things) to help us keep 
track. 

Thank you and good night.

Steve/bboyminn