Prophecy musings...Was: Snape's the Rescuer - Really?/Justice to Snape

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 170814

colebiancardi:
> > We seem to take it for granted, after the fact, that Snape *knew* 
> > it was a baby that was being targeted in the prophecy, not an 
> > adult.
> > 
> > If Snape only heard the first part of the prophecy, as DD states,
> > Snape doesn't know it is someone who is yet to be born:
> > 
> > "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord 
> > approaches...Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as 
> > the seventh month dies..."
 
Renee:
> As I'm not a native speaker, I could very well be wrong, but 
> wouldn't the wording have been slightly different if the "one" had 
> already been born at the time the prophecy was made? I'd have 
> expected it to be something like: "Born to those who (have) trice 
> defied him, born when the seventh month died..." The way I read 
> what JKR actually wrote, it can only refer to a child as yet 
> unborn. 


SSSusan:
I don't think the wording would have been different if JKR wanted 
deliberately to be vague and nebulous. >:)

In all seriousness, I do think JKR wanted this to be as 'open' to 
multiple interpretations as possible.  But while I believe that, I 
also think that the wording would not have to be as you propose.  
You're correct that writing the prophecy the way you've presented it 
*would* work if it were referring to someone already alive.  But what 
JKR did write, imo, also works that way, just as colebiancardi 
suggested.  

It doesn't seem especially *likely* to me that the phrasing would 
refer to someone already alive, but I do think the wording leaves the 
possibility open.

Just this native speaker's two knuts.

Siriusly Snapey Susan