by Dave
Part I of this series: Why Joker Succeeds and Voldemort Fails
“Behind the scenes” is a trope of long standing tradition in many forms of literature. In a recent essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Terry W. Thompson argues that the violent deaths occur off the page as a direct result of Shelley’s love of classical [...]

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by Dave
Since Deathly Hallows release last year, I’ve been perpetually puzzled by Voldemort’s characterization in the last two novels. Half Blood Prince humanizes Voldemort in a way that lends HBP a sophistication most of the earlier novels lack — Voldemort’s backstory both enlightens and befuddles the reader, at once shedding light on his origins [...]

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by Dave
Last Wednesday, I found out my paternal grandfather passed away at the age of 88 at 7:30 that morning. My memories of him are sparse and fuzzy — tied to some history before my parents split. I have an odd affliction with memory; nothing serious mind you, just a strange dividing line [...]

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by Dave
Travis’s earlier post concerning what we’ve been reading made me think about some purely hypothetical questions. My philosophy major side is creeping out a bit here. I’m not sure of the greater merit of such a question, but I started wondering how an archvillain like Voldemort might find his end in some [...]

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by Dave]
The heart of the classical Hero type drives towards some sacrifice — either in a quest for glory sometimes doomed from the start, or on the behalf of something judged “the greater good”. Classical epic heroes struggle against their humanity, often goaded by the self realization of their partial divinity. They hope [...]

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This essay is also available in audio form in PubCast #33.
From The Epic of Gilgamesh to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the question of death has been explored in the pages of literature, not least in mythological works. There is hardly a more universal human experience than death, and its chilling finality has caused [...]

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A threefold look at Voldemort: Literary (Shadow/Symbol of Evil), Psychological (Sociopath/Narcissistic Personality Disorder), and Ethical (Sinner/Moral Culpability).
Welcome to new PubCast listeners who have found us because of Prophecy 2007. I hope you enjoy the podcast and stick around here for discussion. You can subscribe through iTunes. Search for “Hog’s Head PubCast.”
Pub Menu [...]

 

 Hog's Head PubCast #32: Voldemort: Shadow, Sociopath, Sinner [45:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1510)

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Spoiler Alert!

“[Harry] recoiled. He had spotted the thing that was making the noises. It had the form of a small, naked child, curled on the ground, its skin raw and rough, flayed-looking, and it lay shuddering under a seat where it had been left, unwanted, stuffed out of sight, struggling for breath…. ‘You [...]

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One question I’ve never explored here is simply this: Will Voldemort Die? Some have argued that if Harry kills Voldemort, it will go against everything Rowling has written about Love’s victory, the evil of murder, and the importance of self-sacrifice.
I disagree. I think Harry will kill Voldemort, and that it will be the right thing [...]

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Merope Gaunt and the Paradox of Evil and Choice; Why did Voldemort give Lily a choice?; Stephen Fry vs. Jim Dale
One thing I forgot to mention in the Fry vs. Dale discussion: After hearing Dale first and then listening to Fry, Fry really had to grow on me. Didn’t like him at first. [...]

 

 Hog's Head PubCast #28: Evil and Choice [27:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1494)

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Note: This material will appear in an upcoming PubCast (along with further commentary and other related subjects) either midweek or this weekend.
Rowling has given us a paradox concerning evil in the Harry Potter series. At face value, the lesson is very simple, and it has been stated by Dumbledore in two ways:
“It is our [...]

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Instead of posting a plothole, this time I’m going to try to solve one.  I only had one minor gripe with PoA (having to do with butterbeer), so we’re on to GoF.  The biggest plothole that folks have mentioned from GoF is the use of the Triwizard Cup by Faux Moody as the portkey as [...]

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Interview with my wife, Tricia, on the psychology of Voldemort and Harry; Owl Post
For iTunes subscribers: I keep forgetting to add the artwork to the episode. It’ll be back. I’d be more than happy to read your responses to this (or any) PubCast on upcoming issues. Just use the “E-Owl” link in [...]

 

 Hog's Head PubCast #14: Psychology of Voldemort and Harry [42:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2890)

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My post, Is Harry a Horcrux, which I wrote in haste two months after HBP was released, has generated 441 comments, and counting. It’s quite an issue! Personally, I’ve been back and forth on it. When I initially posted on the topic, I was against it. After a lot of reading [...]

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Calling all critics and editors! I’m considering re-working this essay (which I previously included on this site as an attachment) for publication and/or presentation at conferences. It was written for a 200-level college course, so it needs, perhaps, some refocusing and enhancement. I’ve formatted it for a blog post, and I’m looking [...]

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