[HPforGrownups] A mundane finality

[Heather Hadden]

No: HPFGUIDX 185230

15. Tom Riddle falls "with a mundane finality." Such a fascinating
phrase. Was there anything mundane at all about this? Does JKR
imply that death strikes us all, no matter who are what? Why use 
such a phrase?

Because of the almost anti-climatic nature of his end: 
"And Harry, with the unerring skill of the Seeker, caught the wand 
in his free hand as Voldemort fell backwards, arms splayed, the slit 
pupils of the scarlet eyes rolling upwards. Tom Riddle hit the floor 
with a mundane finality, his body feeble and shrunken, the white 
hands empty, the snake-like face vacant and unknowing." (DH 
"The Flaw in the Plan" p.596 UK edition)
 
Heather:
Notice at the beginning of the paragraph he is called Voldemort, and at the end, he is called Tom. I think this brings to light that at the beginng, in those seconds right before death, he was still Voldemort. Evil, and scary. The one man that could make any wizard shake in his boots. At the end, when he has fallen...dead. He is no longer that evil powerful wizard. He is just a man. A bad man, but a man all the same. The truth that this evil, sadistic man could be killed by some "child" made the other wizards in the great hall look at Riddle in a whole new way. Without fear. 


      

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