What an excellent read. Prince is probably the darkest and most insightful piece in the series. I am a sucker for an origin story and here we get not only an initial impression of Tom Riddle before and during his transformation to Lord Voldemort, but an even further back retelling of his parentage and how he came to be Tom Marvolo Riddle in the first place.
Something I very much so admire about Miss JKR is her deep understanding of what makes a person a person. Our insight of Voldemort’s parents give me a deeper grasp of just how a person can turn into the most evil humans on the planet…
The Riddles
Voldemort’s mother Merope, who has been brought up with no mother of her own or any other females. She is brought up by an abusive father and brother, deep in poverty and isolation from the world; and all probably a little mentally ill as a product of generations trying to keep the family blood line pure. This is a person who has grown up with no love. On top of this, a witch who is so damaged by her environment, she can’t perform magic [not until her abusers are out of the house that is]. Voldemort’s father Tom on the other hand, the total opposite. A well off, handsome, muggle man who is adored by his company. How do two polar opposite humans produce the most dangerous wizard of all time you may ask?
Well, Merope uses the powerful love potion known as ‘Amortentia’ against her victim and he is put under this potent spell which dazes him and causes him to think he is in love with Merope. This leads them to their marriage and the conception Tom Riddle Junior. After so much time and life events have passed between them, Merope finally stops giving Tom the love potion, in hope that he has finally fallen for her or will perhaps stay with her now that they have a baby together but as you’ve guessed, the attractive, rich, muggle man leaves the poor, ugly and perceptually evil sorcerous of a woman and her baby. This is a child born out of false love.
These details always struck me. I think it is fair to say no one is born an evil person. People are products of their make up and upbringing. This is not to say Voldemort could have taken a different approach, he could have perhaps used his powerful sorcery for good and maybe joined forces with Dumbledore. We are a product of our make up, to a certain point, but maybe being a product born from deception and false pretences and birthed by a woman who had never really known real love is a recipe that creates something like Lord Voldemort.
Felix Felices
Don’t we all ponder the thought of such a substance… The things we would use it for – exams, sporting events, meeting someone important or gambling our life savings! I’ve wondered if in the Wizarding World, people make batches and micro-dose it for their advantage at life. Surely! Humans are human right? Even now in the “muggle world”, people do have access to things that enhance performance and sharpen the mind. And even in that, there will be people who abuse it, people who use it wisely and scarcely and some that don’t at all.
The Cursed Job Post
What an interesting and ingenious detail she has sidled in there. The Defence Against The Dark Arts job we learn early on is rumoured to being cursed. We then find out in another trip into the pensieve that Riddle/Voldemort actually asked Dumbledore for that teaching role and from his refusal, may very well be the curser of said job post.
Silcent Incantations
Now that they’ve started mastering common spells and using them as second nature, they are now starting to practice making these spells happen without actually saying the incantations aloud. It is kind of beautiful to see that even in the Wizarding world where you can essentially get anything you want at a wave of wand, hard work and dedication is rewarded. Things take time and practice and devotion. Like our world too, there are some that stand out, where things come naturally to them and they are able to excel at a faster rate but overall, you get out what you put in.
The Horcrux’s
Something I actually preferred in the film version over the novel was the reveal of young Tom Riddle, asking Slughorn about the Horcux’s. In the books, we know from the first look into the pensieve that he is interested in Horcrux’s and the final revelation is just a matter of how many. In the movie, we are distorted completely from the start, left questioning and curious and so in the final reveal, we get more of a sense of knowing and feeling of determination to seek and destroy.
Another beautiful moment I always loved was the “memory” Slughorn relays to Harry about his mother and the leaf of a lily she conjured up for him. They narrowed down the admiration he felt for her and her magical abilities [a lot like Hermione’s it seems] which he constantly remind Harry about, into this small scene.
I also really like Harry’s and Ginny’s first kiss in the film…
But something I think the audience missed out on was Dumbledore’s beautiful funeral. I think his character deserved the big send off on the big screen.
Like I always say, you cannot compare the written story for the visual. They contrast and are two amazing pieces of art, on their own. Some parts are better in either but both tell the same story in two great and different forms and views.
Things I’d like to ask JK:
- When McGonagall and Dumbledore conjure up sitting chairs, McGonagall’s being a simple wooden one and Dumbledore’s being more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, is this simple because the ladder is more skilled in this type of magic and can easily create a more sophisticated object in a short time, or does it speak more to their personalities and style of choice?
- Did you like difference in the horcrux reveal in the film
- Where the names of the founders/houses the original names you thought of?
Side note – I love how they added other familiar objects in the Room of Requirement’s place to get rid of something and not be found again. Like the pieces of the giant chess board and the harp from Philosopher’s and Cornish Pixies from Chamber!
For a final quote from my love letter to Prince “It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”