I woke from a dream this morning knowing Harry Potter’s Big Secret.
Clyde and I took in the latest Potter flick last night. (With more than ten local screens showing the film, you don’t even have to check showtimes to see the movie — it starts every quarter hour or so.) It’s not quite as grand or engaging as the first two entries in the series … but it’s fun to watch, and Alfonso Cuaron takes this opportunity to paint a darker and richer version of the Potter universe on screen…
…which brings me to my point.
Critics have long noted that each film becomes a bit edgier than the one before it. Indeed, in the current installment, we see Harry’s bitterness and anger as never before — and come to understand that it can be harmful to others.
Each film, each novel, becomes darker than the last one. Think about that for a minute.
Harry Potter is Lord Voldemort — or, more precisely, Lord Voldemort is Harry Potter. As we watch Harry grow and mature, we are watching a young man’s slow transformation into a powerful and evil man.
– Actor Daniel Radcliffe recently caused a stir at the Potter premiere, suggesting that, at the end of the series, his character might have to die. (And he will “die” — when he goes back in time to prevent his own life, kills his own parents, and is all but destroyed when he tries to kill himself.)
– In each film, Potter acquires Voldemort’s terrible powers, one by one. First, there’s the cloak of invisibility. Now, a map that shows him everyone’s location … and, most importantly, he has access to Hermione’s necklace, which allows for time travel. “Wizards who dabble with time,” Hermione warns, “must be extraordinarily careful.” (There’s even a hint that going back and catching a glimpse of yourself causes insanity … perhaps of the variety that would push an already angry adult Potter over the edge?)
– In an earlier book, a prophecy marks Harry as “Voldemort’s equal.”
– Harry is increasingly callous and angry toward adults. In this film, he inflates one … and then attacks a teacher. In a future film, he will complete the cycle by attacking his own parents … and his younger self.
– J. K. Rowling has a pretty dark sense of humor … and story. What a wonderful twist it will be when she reveals that children, for years, have been breathlessly following the evolution and growth of the series’ own dark villian.
Right? Wrong? We won’t know for years … but remember: you heard it first here, on MadeByMark.com.
* Since writing this, I’ve found at least one fan site where the idea has come up before … but is generally dismissed by folks too in love with Harry to see much evil in him.
Hello… I wanted to let you know that even though Harry actually being Voldemort would be a great twist in the ending plot, it’s not possible.For one, the map wasn’t Voldemort’s, but actually belongs to: Wormtail: the guy who can turn into a rat, Padfoot: the guy who can take on the form of a dog, and the Teacher who is a werewolf! Secondly, the time travelling necklace is taken away from her (you would know this if you had read the 4th book), and thirdly, the invisibility cloak comes from Harry’s father, NOT Voldemort.Also, in the second movie, Harry comes face to face with Voldemort’s former self from the journal, and if that were really Harry, wouldn’t Harry see the resemblence??? In any case, it doesn’t make any sense! In the same movie, we saw that Hagrid grew up with Voldemort, and now Hagrid is Harry’s teacher. Just too many times when Harry would have to grow up twice! I enjoyed your insight though!
I’ll admit I’m not a Harry Potter expert … in fact, I’m not even a fan. My interest is casual.
Still, having read your post, I think my theory is still very much a possibility.
– The Map. The ownership or origin of the Map isn’t the point. The point is the power it gives a person … the power to track people, which is a power long associated with Voldemort.
– The Necklace. The fact that it’s taken away in the fourth book doesn’t mean its power can’t be used in future books.
– The Cloak. I never said the invisibility cloak belonged to Voldemort … again, ownership is not the issue. Instead, I said possessing it gives Harry one of the qualities associated with Voldemort. It still does.
– Voldemort’s former self from the journal. You ask, “If he was Harry, wouldn’t Harry see the resemblance?” In doing so, you make my* point for me. In the interview with Dumbledore at the end of the second film, Harry remarks, “I couldn’t help but notice he looks like me.”
– “Hagrid grew up with Voldemort, and now he’s Harry’s teacher. Just too many times when Harry would have to grow up twice!” Not once time travel comes into the picture. A slightly older Voldemort — the one Harry meets from the journal, for example — could easily go back in time and attend school with a younger Hagrid while also attending the same school in the future as his younger self.
Am I right? Time’ll tell.
I think that it’s very interesting! I think you’re right, time will tell! If you’re right, I think that you must be quite good at this! Thank you for adding another perspective!
Dumbledore said someone had heard the prophecy at Hog’s head…but he discovered who he was just as Sybill was in the middle of the prophecy…The headmaster didn�t tell in the 5th book and it makes me think that Snape was the guy who had heard it.Dumbledore talked to Snape that day and made him a spy.Snape works to Voldemort and Dumbledore but Voldemort doesn�t know it…this is Albus�s secret which keeps him informed.
Hey, I came up with a similar theory 2 yrs ago and posted it on the HP alt-fan website in Aug 2002. (I don’t know where or how to find their archives to prove my claim) At the time, I argued that HP and Voldemort are the same person. That Salazare Slytherin was experimenting with making himself immortal by using a phoenix spell (phoenix are known to be immortal creatures – reborn out of their own ashes etc) and he became a phoenix like creature. His heirs have always been lonely-only heirs (just like the phoenix which only lives one at a time) and his latest heir Voldemort was upset by this and trying to make a new baby from himself and created a new self (not exactly a child but a replica) – whom we know as HP. The only person who knew about the creation was Dumbledore. Anyway at the end of the bks I proposed that Harry would knowingly sacrifice himself to kill Voldie, but the surprise would be that a new baby (Harry/Voldie) would be born out of the ashes and of course would be adopted by Ron and Hermione.
Harry Potter and Voldemort will die in book 7