The Core of the Elder Wand and other new JKR explanations

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 179748

---  "muscatel1988" <cottell at ...> wrote:
>
> ---  "Carol" <justcarol67@> wrote:
> > 
> > Does anyone besides me find this information less than 
> > helpful, even possibly annoying?

> Mus.:
> 
> ...
> 
> And when you talk about LV's soul being a stunted, maimed 
> baby, can't you see that you're creating an image that's 
> likely to trigger pity? "Unwanted, stuffed out of sight, 
> struggling for breath" - that's what he always was, from 
> the beginning, and that's how you chose to end him.  
> Sauron was at least a grown-up.
> 
> Mus.
>

bboyminn:

I'm not really clear on what your objections is here. Is
it to Voldemort being portrayed as a 'baby', because I
don't think most people read that as truly a baby, only
that he had a baby-like body or form. I think the image
in Goblet of Fire in the Graveyard scene, both in the books
and in the movies, closely represents what JKR is trying to
portray. Voldemort has a stunted and diminished baby-like
form which indicates how much Voldemort has hurt himself.

He can create a normal full sized human body, but his true
self both physical and spiritual is incredibly stunted.

As far as making Voldemort sympathetic. I think most people
view him as so. Those who choose the path of evil are to 
be pitied not scorned. The Dalai Lama, Christ, Ender Wiggin,
and JKR taught me that I must love my enemy even while I
do not forgive their sins and transgressions. So, yes, I
feel sympathy and regret for Voldemort and the choices he
made. Yet, at the same time, I hold him fully accountable
for his choices and actions. 

But this 'stunted self' is NOT how Tom always was. At one
time he was a handsome healthy boy with all the potential
in the world. He could have been Minister of Magic, he
could have been a wealthy and powerful businessman with
international influence, he could have been anything, but
he let petty emotions and fears rule him, and he paid dearly
for that choice.

As far as Sauron being a grown-up, regardless of Voldemort's
physical form, he has lived many years, roughly 70 or more,
and he is a grown-up in every way except he can't let go of
his irrational fears. Irrational fears that drive him to 
control everyone and everything around him and to do so
without a shred of mercy or compassion. He is certainly
not a 'baby' in the truest sense of the word.

Yes, many circumstances came into play, but Voldemort is 
what he chose to be, just as Harry is what he chose. In our
modern world we frequently confuse explanation with 
forgiveness. You might be able to explain why some 16 year
old entered his school with a gun and started shooting, you
might even feel some compassion knowing the circumstances
that drove him to it, yet, we do and we must hold him
accountable for the choices he made. Just as, irregardless
of his circumstance, we must hold Voldemort accountable.

Not sure if that addresses your objection at all, but there
it is.

Steve/bboyminn