Meaning/Translation of "stopper death"

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 168260

---  "Miles" <miles at ...> wrote:
>
> > bboyminn:
> > "Metaphorically" is the key. Snape is speaking, not
> > literally, but in symbols. People are always 
> > confused about 'stopper death', but no one every 
> > question the likelihood of literally 'bottling fame,
> > or 'brewing glory'. He may be able to brew potions 
> > that are related to or affecting 'fame' or 'glory', 
> > but unlikely to be taken literally.
> 
> (...)
> 
> > Some assume 'stopper death' means to contain death
> > in a bottle as in a poison. ...
> >
> > The other interpretation is that Snape can contain
> > a substance in a bottle that will restrain death. 
> > To contain it in the sense of holding it back or
> > restraining it or keeping death at bay. In other 
> > words, a means of preventing eminent death.
> >
> > So, 'stopper death' can mean to cause death or to
> > prevent death. Personally, I think it means that,
> > within certain limits, this magic potion can hold 
> > off or prevent eminent death. Again, within limits.
> 
> Miles:
> Simple question: why?
> He is talking about "making" fame - not averting it. 
> About  "producing" glory - not avoid it. Why should 
> he talk about stopping death - instead of brewing a 
> deathly potion, bottle and cork it?
> If we understand "stopper" as a verb ..., there is no
> reason to read Snape's remark as one about an antidote.
> This would be a logical breach in this row. ...
> 
> ...

bboyminn:

Snape is speaking and functioning on many levels. First
he is introducing first year students to the subject of
Potion, so he chooses a potions metaphor - Brew, Bottle,
Cork/Stopper. Next, he is trying to impress his students
with his subject, so he ties in grandiose subjects like-
Fame, Glory, and Death.

Now it is unlikely that Snape, as a character, intended
to drop any long term hints to his students, but Snape,
as the voice of the /author/, could very well be doing 
just that.

Now Snape could just as easily have said 'stopper life'.
Again, that could be interpreted to mean 'stop (contain,
restrain) life' or it could be, it contains a substance
that is 'life giving'. In other words, life taking or 
life giving.

I interpret 'stopper death' the same way. It means either
the bottle contains death, or the bottle contain a
substance that can /contain/ death; 'contain' in this
sense meaning to restrain or hold back. So, death 
giving, or death restraining.

Those are the two logical interpretations, I perfer
'death restraining'. I'm not saying I'm right, though
I feel I am; I'm just stating my preference.

But regardless of which you prefer, you must remember
that Snape is speaking on many levels and in many 
contexts. He speaks as a Potions teacher to students
he is trying to impress. He also speaks as the voice
of the author. And 'stopper death' is just as open
to interpretation as 'bottle fame' and 'brew glory'.

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn