Doomed to Hell, I guess.
Pinging potentially interested parties.
FWIW, taken from a previous thread, here are my reasons for reading the books, writing these reviews, and having the discussion:
1.) To evaluate the quality of the books as literary works.
2.) To determine if Rowling was inspired in any way by Christianity, the occult, or something else.
3.) And ultimately, to decide whether these books should be read by young Catholics, and if so, under what conditions.
I always enjoy your reviews. As I've said on previous threads, I believe Rowling inserts subtle Christian messages into the story. No, she isn't CS Lewis or JRR Tolkien. I don't want to give her too much credit for promoting Christianity -- that would definitely be a stretch.
However, the Dark Arts are about death, and suffering, and the loss of our free will. Voldemort's primary goal is to avoid death and cheat God of his judgement. Voldemort thinks that he is above Death -- he wants to live in our physical world forever, and has no desire for Heaven.
Rowling knows full well that this is not the proper track for anyone to be on.
Also, while it could be interpeted as a "diversity" message, the SPEW episode is the beginning of a trend toward reverance for life that starts in Hermione, but continues most strongly in Harry. In general, wizards tend to be parochial and centered on their own kind. Harry is different, and this is commented on by others in later books. There is a broad message in the book that all created life needs to be respected.
As in innumerable 19th century British novels, including quite respectable ones! ;-)
Funny. I was just thinking yesterday “I wonder how book 4 is going.” (No, really. I was reading one of the other really, really bizarre HP threads that were posted in the last couple of weeks.)
Actually, for a reason you already guessed: it's similarity to 'abrakadabra'. She is consistent in her use of puns.