[HPforGrownups] Re: The Deathly Hallows: Morality of Mythical Objects

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 177430

Prep0strus:
>I agree with you about what her moral probably was supposed to be, and
>even about your analysis of the characters and how they relate to the
>fable characters... except that third brother. You say, 'live your own
>life to the fullest, until you have to meet him'.  That's nice, but
>how does an invisibility cloak represent that?  Sure, the third
>brother does lead his own life - has kids, and faces death head
>high... but what an invisibility cloak represents to me is nothing
>like that at all. 

Bart:
OK, there are several factors going into this (and I will admit that I may be putting in factors that JKR never intended). Now, one of the keys to the story of the Deathly Hallows is that it IS based on reality; the Hallows do exist, and were apparently created by 3 brothers. So the question is why the story has passed into folklore. (A side note: I think, because they did it mainly for laughs, Fred & George's talents were greatly unappreciated, and possibly underutilized. George, without Fred, may decide to use his artificing skills for more practical purposes.) 

I suspect the key is that the lesson is for the Wizarding World, and NOT the Muggle World (or the Real World). Because it's not about Death; it's about Muggles. 

The Wizards have three basic choices in dealing with the Muggle World: They can take over, they can create a common community, or they can hide. The Elder Wand symbolized taking over; the problem with it would be the constant revolution; Muggles are NOT House Elves. And, although Wizazds can protect themselves from physical damage, they CAN be surprised (as Harry can attest, having gone to the hospital several times for physical injuries). One wonders that no muggleborns thought to set up a bomb, say, "Voldemort", and run away as fast as possible. Or maybe they did.

The stone was the second choice; as it brought the dead to life, it represented the Wizards joining the Muggles as neighbors rather than as rulers. But the difference between the Wizards and the Muggles would keep it from working, just as the stone could not bring the dead back to full life. 

So, the Wizards choose the route of being hidden from the Muggles (the invisibility cloak). This way, they can live out their lives undisturbed from the outside.

As I implied, this is from asking the question, "What COULD it mean?" but I think I have a good fit.

Bart