the Deathly Hallows
One
of the first things that should strike any reader of the Harry Potter
books is J.K. Rowling's clever use of names. For example, even on a first
reading the name "Remus Lupin" suggests a connection with wolves. Further
readings provide additional evidence of Rowling's use of names to illustrate
character traits. Rowling clearly enjoys words and has spent years
collecting names.1 As the Lexicon points out, "Since Sirius is the dog star,
a character named Sirius Black must have the ability to transform himself into
a black dog."
2 Given Rowling's penchant for concealing clues to a person's character
within his or her name, what can character names predict about events in Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows?
One
of Harry's chief tasks in Deathly Hallows is to find and destroy the
Horcruxes. Rowling has given us at least one clue to a Horcrux location within
the name of a character. She set a precedent for using an anagram of a
character's name in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. When he
reveals his true identity to Harry in the Chamber, "Tom Marvolo Riddle"
demonstrates how his given name became "I Am Lord Voldemort." 3 Similarly, Mundungus
Fletcher's name indicates that he either has possession of, or will aid Harry
in locating, a Horcrux. Since Mundungus burglarized Harry's home (the former
Black residence), many fans believe that Mundungus has the suspected locket
Horcrux. The letters in "Mundungus Fletcher" include the words "Mr Huge Clue'
indicating that Rowling is indeed hiding this Horcrux in plain sight!
Further
clues to future events may be found in characters' names. Even the most cursory
examination of known Death Eater names indicates a connection with the sea.
Nott is a homophone of "knot." A knot is a unit of measure used by sailors when
they travel upon the sea. Crabbe is a homophone of "crab' a shellfish residing
in the sea. McNair contains the brand name "Nair" which is a depilatory. Every
woman knows that she does not want hairy legs when she is swimming in the sea.
Avery contains the word "aver" which means to verify or swear. Everyone has
heard of someone who "curses like a sailor." Bellatrix is the name of a star,
and for many generations seagoing men and women have navigated by the stars.
Goyle rhymes with "Oyl' and Olive Oyl is Popeye's girlfriend. Popeye (the
sailor man) eats his spinach while at sea. Lastly, Malfoy anagrams to "foamly."
As waves crash to shore, they develop foam.
Simply
by raising the periscope of examination, it is easy to see this clearly
established link between the Death Eaters and the sea. Since J.K. Rowling has
not used this link previously, there is no doubt that this connection will
surface in the final installment of her series. It is safe, therefore, to
predict that Voldemort's attack during the final battle will be launched from
the ocean.
What
clues may be obtained by a close examination of names of the members of Dumbledore's
Army and the Order of the Phoenix? (hereafter referred to as "Dumbledore's
Order' or the D.O.)? It takes only a swift glance at the name of our hero to
determine a vital connection. The letters comprising the word "earth" are found
within the name "Harry Potter." Additionally, a "potter" makes objects of clay,
and clay is formed from earth. Hermione Granger includes the word "ranger' a
person who works in forestlands located upon the Earth. Ronald Weasley contains
"a swell nerd." The best sorts of people are nerds (particularly Harry Potter
Nerds) and nerds live upon the Earth. Neville Longbottom's name is reminiscent
of a character from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nick Bottom. As far as
Shakespearian scholars can determine, Shakespeare wrote all of his major works
while living upon the Earth. Tonks sounds like "tanks" and tanks are used to
roam over the Earth. Remus Lupin contains the word "pine" which is a coniferous
tree cultivated solely on the Earth. Mundungus Fletcher contains the nickname
"dung' which is used to fertilize plants growing in the Earth.
In
addition to the connections of the Death Eaters to the sea and members of
Dumbledore's Order to the Earth, names provide additional clues to events in Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Without a thorough examination of names,
these hints could remain submerged. Closer inspection yields clearly defined
match-ups regarding individual duels between members of these rival groups.
Since
crabs and tanks both have hard outer shells, Crabbe and Tonks will duel. Pine
trees have knots, which indicates that Nott and Lupin duel. Shakespeare's Nick
Bottom participated in the play within a play, and Bottom was given the head of
quite a hairy creature. Therefore, Neville (Longbottom) will fight
McNair. Mundungus enjoys cursing, so he and Avery will duel. Since forest
rangers live out in the open away from city lights, the skies above their homes
show a multitude of stars. Therefore, Hermione will combat Bellatrix. Finally,
Olive Oyl is a swell nerd, so Ron must battle Goyle.
The
most important sea/earth clue to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,
however, resides with Luna Lovegood. Luna's last name is self-explanatory, and
her first name is a derivative of "lunar" which is derived from the Latin
"lunaris" for moon. What is the function of the moon, and what function might a
character named for the moon perform in the last book? The Earth's moon rotates
around our planet and affects many aspects of our lives, including the seas. In
fact, the tides are controlled by the moon. If Luna Lovegood is to act as the
moon, and the final battle is fought while the Death Eaters are at sea, then it
stands to reason that the influence of Luna's love will turn the tide of the
final battle.
However,
Luna will not be alone in her struggle! The moon rotates around the earth
because of the powerful attraction of the earth's gravity. The D.O. has
attracted Luna as a member, and other members (one of whom you can no doubt
guess) will help Luna in her task.
Remus
Lupin's Marauder name is Moony. Until now, the fandom has assumed that this is
because of the effect the moon has upon his werewolf transformations. However,
an in-depth examination proves that Rowling planted yet another clue all those
years ago when the trio first met Professor Lupin. During his yearlong stint as
Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lupin taught Harry the Patronus
Charm. The Patronus is conjured by "concentrating, with all your might, on a
single, very happy memory." 4 Moony will help Luna use the
power of happiness ’ the power of love. Moony's beloved Tonks will be by
his side, as evidenced by Tonks's full name. Nymphadora Tonks contains the
words "moon task." There is a very important task these lunar friends must
perform! What will be their weapon? What is the only weapon that can vanquish
Voldemort? Rowling gives us this answer when she speaks through Dumbledore. "If
there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love." 5
While
Voldemort will fight the final battle from the sea, Harry and Dumbledore's
Order will be upon land. Along with the individual duels, Luna, Tonks, and
Moony will affect the Death Eaters and Voldemort with the power of love. His
Horcruxes destroyed, weakened by the power of the lunar trio, Voldemort will be
susceptible to Harry's greatest weapon ’ the thing Voldemort knows not.
Fighting to hold onto his hatred though his supporters have sunk all about him,
Voldemort will fall prey to the thing he knows not.
"Yes
’ just love."
6
At
that moment, the clue Rowling planted in the very first book, the clue she
first anagrammed, the clue that has been in front of us all along, will be
crystal clear. As the release date of Deathly Hallows looms ever closer,
fear not, Potter fans. It is certain that Harry will defeat Voldemort because
of the name. "Lord Voldemort" contains the words Doomed Troll. Voldemort is
history. And it's all right there in the names!
Notes
1.
Rowling, Interview by Christoper Lydon.
2.
Summers, "Secrets of the Classlist."
3.
Rowling, Chamber of Secrets, 231.
4.
Ibid., Prisoner of Azkaban, 176.
5.
Ibid., Philosopher's Stone, 216.
6.
Ibid., Half-Blood Prince, 476.
Bibliography
Rowling,
J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. London: Bloomsbury, 1998.
”””.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. London: Bloomsbury, 2005.
”””.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. London: Bloomsbury, 1997.
”””.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. London: Bloomsbury, 1999.
”””.
Interview by Christopher Lydon. The Connection (WBUR Radio), 12 October
1999. Transcript, Accio Quote! http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/1999/1099-connectiontransc2.htm#p3
(accessed 11 February 2007).
Summers,
Diana. "Secrets of the Classlist." The Harry Potter Lexicon. Member of
the Floo Network. http://www.hp-lexicon.org/essays/essay-secrets-of-the-classlist.html
(accessed 13 February 2007).
