ChapDisc - DH 16, Godric's Hollow

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 182138

> Carol responds:
> I understand why Harry would think that, but Hermione clearly
> understood the allusion to an afterlife. (After all, they were in a
> churchyard!)
> 
> To me, the clear difference between DE philosophy, which is based on
> the fear of death as annihilation, and the epitaph is that 
Voldemort,
> in particular, is seeking to defeat death through earthly 
immortality
> whereas the epitaph, even out of context, relates to the eternal 
life
> of the soul, as Harry might have realized if he had thought about 
the
> graveyard being a Christian cemetery on the grounds of a church. 
<SNIP>


Alla:

Well yes of course that IS the difference I agree, but my question is 
whether you would understand the difference had you been not familiar 
with the complete passage and where this passage comes from, based on 
that one sentence only.

And of course I know that JKR wanted the allusion to be clear, it was 
pretty clear to me even though I did not memorise the passage, but 
remember reading it.

But for folks who never read the Bible and who never intend to the 
allusion is lost, isn't it?

I mean, I suppose it is pretty easy to guess that DE philosophy ( 
aside to a_svirn, yes, of course we only know that Voldemort wants 
immportality, but I think it is only one step assumption that his 
gang wants the same things) will not be put on Potters' stone, but if 
one just looks at the sentence, I do not see how it is different.

JMO,

Alla