That anagram thing really did a lot to kill what vauge feelings of terror I had for Voldemort. I mean, how much can you really fear a guy when you know he spent a good portion of his teen years dicking around with lame anagrams? That, and I know I've said this before, but the "I go by Voldemort now" just reminds me too much of Dana Carvey's "Don't call me Gordon, call me Sting!" skit.
Yeah, I thought Voldemort was a much better bad guy name before I found out it was an anagram of a (somewhat) regular name. Made-up names like those sound cool because they make the character seem so alien to our society, which is great for a villain who plots to destroy our society. When you run into a guy named "Voldemort," "Darkseid," or "Thulsa Doom," you know you're not just dealing with a regular joe who went bad; you're dealing with something undreamt of in your philosophy. At least, I assume this is what Voldemort wanted people to think when he picked the name.
On the other hand, the silly origin of his cool supervillain name does illustrate that beneath the terrifying reputation is just an ordinary, overconfident wizard, which seems to be a recurring theme.
At least, I assume this is what Voldemort wanted people to think when he picked the name.Perhaps partially, but the main impetus was to have a name as unique as he believed himself to be. He's more like Lex Luthor in that respect: refusing to be anything less than in a class by himself. The difference is that Luthor is satisfied with being the only Lex Luthor with a giant "L" shaped building and so forth, while Riddle couldn't handle the idea that there could be eight more Toms, Marvolos, and Riddles in the phone book, even if he's the one people think of when they hear the name
( ... )
On the other hand, the silly origin of his cool supervillain name does illustrate that beneath the terrifying reputation is just an ordinary, overconfident wizard, which seems to be a recurring theme.
And this is exactly why, despite all the weaknesses of these books, I still love 'em: both the characters and the world are richly developed and realistic, even with the whole Magic! theme. You get the sense that the evil villain didn't come out of nowhere, and that to beat him you can actually find his mental weaknesses as opposed to finding the most powerful magician around and hoping for the best (although, looking at past books, you wouldn't know it yet).
On a side note, Dr. T.O. Dollmover and Mr. Ted Rodvo, LOL are quite possibly the funniest things I've read all day. :)
Defense Teachers and Voldie
anonymous
October 11 2005, 07:22:49 UTC
Two things to remember about Voldemort wanting to be the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher is how useful that post would be to someone planning to be an Evil Overlord, and Tommy's habit of collecting trophies (especially if they tie into the Hogwarts founders
( ... )
Dare I say this is your best yet? Mm... I think so!
For reasons unknown, your '"And "Shitlicker Fagwoman." I'm just saying.' is the biggest LOLergasm evAr!11
Hark! What is this? Can't stand it-- must make own anagrams? No! Yes! For the simple Bridget Rose Lynch, just as Irish as the Mike Smith's own, has become......... Nitchrysder Bloegy!
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Tom Riddle is such a nerd.
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On the other hand, the silly origin of his cool supervillain name does illustrate that beneath the terrifying reputation is just an ordinary, overconfident wizard, which seems to be a recurring theme.
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And this is exactly why, despite all the weaknesses of these books, I still love 'em: both the characters and the world are richly developed and realistic, even with the whole Magic! theme. You get the sense that the evil villain didn't come out of nowhere, and that to beat him you can actually find his mental weaknesses as opposed to finding the most powerful magician around and hoping for the best (although, looking at past books, you wouldn't know it yet).
On a side note, Dr. T.O. Dollmover and Mr. Ted Rodvo, LOL are quite possibly the funniest things I've read all day. :)
--Annika
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Granted, although I don't think Quirrel, Lockhart, and the faux Moody would very much appreciate the distinction.
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For reasons unknown, your '"And "Shitlicker Fagwoman." I'm just saying.' is the biggest LOLergasm evAr!11
Hark! What is this? Can't stand it-- must make own anagrams? No! Yes! For the simple Bridget Rose Lynch, just as Irish as the Mike Smith's own, has become......... Nitchrysder Bloegy!
Grienby Chroes, Ltd.
Not his bed lyce, grr!
Brits do leg enchry?
Christ only breged!
Let brides go rynch...
Bees ditch lorngry
Trees gonch dribly!
Sly chin gro debter!! >:O
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Excellent Mockery. Where else can I get epic wrestling matches and obscure anime reference combined with HP?
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