The Core of the Elder Wand and other new JKR explanations

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 179715

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "meann ortiz" <yvaine28 at ...> 
wrote:
>
>  J.K. Rowling updated her website and posted some interesting 
tidbits about
> *Deathly Hallows*.
> 
> - The core of the Elder Wand is the tail hair of a thestral, a 
substance
> that can be mastered only by someone capable of facing death.

lizzyben:

And JKR states the real theme of the series for us again: Death, 
Death, Death! Everyone's gonna die! This helps clear up the 
confusion some people have about the good/evil split in this series. 
The morality is actually not confused at all - the good guys are the 
ones who accept death, the bad guys are the ones who do not. Thus, 
Dumbledore is a good guy, no matter how many people he hurts, 
because he was capable of facing death. He actually *chose* his 
death, showing his bravery & courage (effects on Snape, Harry, 
Hogwarts aren't important). DD repeatedly says that death is just 
the next great adventure, & he might even help other people make 
that trip (Flamel, Harry, etc.) This casual treatment of life shows 
that DD is capable of facing or even embracing Death. When Harry 
faces, & even embraces, Death, this proves that he is a worthy hero, 
courageous and Good.

In contrast, Voldemort fears death so much that he creates seven 
horcruxes to avoid it. He seeks the Sorcerer's Stone, which gives 
immortal life. It is his fear of death that makes him a bad guy, 
much more than his cruelty or violence. Because fear of death is 
cowardly, unheroic and Evil. This is why Gryffindors are praised for 
recklessly rushing into danger - in doing this, they have shown that 
they are ready to face death, and thereby proved their courage & 
goodness. And this is why Slytherins are Evil - in seeking to 
achieve their own ends & cowardly running from battle, they have 
shown that they are afraid of death.

Fear of death/acceptance of death is the real split between good and 
evil in this universe. So, that's the message here - accept death. 
In JKR's interviews, she repeatedly talks about how much she thinks 
about death (daily). I simply do not get this focus. Don't most 
people accept that they're eventually going to die? Why is that the 
ultimate sign of Goodness in the Potterverse?



lizzyben