Delving Into the Books
Unifying Theory
by Leroyal Terrell Gould, III
I have, for some time, been speculating on just why Voldemort would single out a child for destruction. There is, of course, the much talked about "Heir of Gryffindor" theory, but for me, this doesn't hold with JKR's theme of our choices making us who we are, and not innate qualities. So, like any good HP fan, I have my own little theory, which, I have come to jokingly refer to as my "Unifying Theory" (a pun which makes me chuckle, and that, hopefully you'll understand shortly, especially if you are familiar with the social sciences).
I asked myself,
firstly, what could have been LV's motivation. Its seems obvious that he
is attempting to get rid of an obstacle impeding
his path to
power. Does he need any other reason? Sheer malice or sadism, maybe, but
why be so specific about Harry and his family? The
existence
of James and Harry (but, it appears, not Lily) seem to be in the way of
LV's plans, but, why?
A core theme
of the books, thus far, I believe, has been schisms within a people due
to groups they belong to or things associated with
them. Not
only do we find race issues in the wizarding community (Mudblood vs. Pureblood),
but we also see very distinct and purposeful
separations
between the houses at Hogwarts, socio-economic classes in the community
(Malfoys vs. Weasleys), and between those afflicted
with "non-human"
characteristics (e.g: werewolves and half giants) and normal wizards. LV
feeds off of these prejudices. He uses them (the preexisting prejudices
within the community) to promote his own causes and hatreds, and to create
strong and powerful allies with established wizarding families, through
which, he will gain power.
What could possibly destroy these dark alliances he has created more so than "unity" within the wizarding community. Could it possibly be that Harry's place is not to destroy LV and the DE's in a final, apocalyptic duel of archetypical proportions, but to, rather, destroy what is at the core of their evil ways: hatred and mistrust of those who are different.
I offer for evidence the scene of Harry's sorting in SS/PS.
"Hmm, Difficult. Very Difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes - and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting...."I find this interesting, because, in my interpretation, the hat is quite literally saying that Harry could be placed into any one of the four Hogwarts houses. "Plenty of courage" is an obvious reference to Gryffindor house. "Not a bad mind" is a nod towards Ravenclaw the house of intellectuals. "Talent", I believe, is a quality belonging to Hufflepuffs, who, are "unafraid of toil". I see, with the thought of talent, that prematurely departed hero of Hufflepuff house (and his father) Cedric Diggory, who seemed to excel at everything through his talent. Finally, that wisest of hats mentions "a nice thirst to prove yourself" (referring to Harry). This, to me, seems like a very Slytherin quality, as a need for approval and recognition could very well fuel many attempts to gain those things by any means accessible.
There has already
been much play on the similarities between Harry and LV (especially in
CoS by Tom Riddle and Harry, himself). These
musings, as
well as the sorting scene, I think, are reflections on the duality of Harry.
He embodies two worlds. The muggle world he grew up
in, and the
wizarding world who has cherished his existence since that fateful Hallowe'en.
Who better to serve as an intermediary between
two worlds
than someone who walks in both of them (this certainly explains one of
the reasons that Dumbledore may have had for Harry
staying with
the dreadful Dursleys). It is interesting to note that LV also was raised
in a fashion much like Harry (as an orphan and completely separate of the
wizarding world).
Not only does
Harry stride both in magical and non-magical worlds, but within him also
resides essence of the heir of Slytherin (due to LV's
reflected
AK, as indicated by his status as a parseltongue), and that of Gryffindor
(Dumbledore says that "only a true Gryffindor" could have pulled the sword
from the sorting hat in CoS).
Begin to look
at the people Harry has chosen to surround himself with, also. A half-giant,
a werewolf, a mudblood, a very poor wizard, and
an escaped
convict (not to mention a freed house-elf and a pseudo-squib, a.k.a. Neville
Longbottom). Why should the shining star of the
wizarding
world, born of such beloved and powerful parents, associate with those
so far "below" him (at least by the magical communities
social standards)?
Because he chooses to.
So, Harry has
had to find an equilibrium with his dual natures. Why would his greatest
accomplishment and gift to the world not be to
help it do
the same?
Harry is already
on a very different path than LV, who faced, I am sure, many of the same
problems due to his duality as Harry has (the
disbelief,
confusion, prejudice, and feelings of inferiority). It has been quite clear
ever since Harry's sorting ("Not Slytherin, not Slytherin!") from the choices
they have both made that, though they may be taken from the same mold,
Harry and Lord Voldemort are of very different qualities altogether. LV
as the proprietor of separation, and Harry as the unifier of opposites.
Destruction versus Creation. Yin versus Yang. Death versus Life.
Though the path which will lead to it is unclear at this time, the archetype of the divine marriage may very well reside in the pages of future books.
copyright 2002 Leroyal Terrell Gould, III
