Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2005

The Veil of Mystery

AL Carpenter

The Veil in the Department of Mysteries is a symbol that has been used throughout written time to describe the indescribable. It envelops the greatest mystery of humankind - death. Shrouds have long been uses as part of funeral ceremony rituals and as symbols of "the beyond". Lifting the veil signifies an "awakening", while the enshrouded symbolizes mystery. Veils of different sorts have been used as metaphor in works by Sophocles, Virgil, Homer, Nietzsche and in world mythology. It is possible that such works influenced J.K. Rowling. In this paper I discuss Rowling's possible influences in choosing this device and what the veil could signify in the Harry Potter septology. The clues to the demise of enigmatic character Sirius Black will also be discussed, including his nickname "Snuffles" and his time spent living in a cave - a possible nod to Plato. The stories of other characters who have ventured into the "underworld", including Orpheus, Odysseus and Aeneas will be discussed, as well as any "tie-ins" to other symbolically rich icons, such as Penelope and The Weird Sisters.

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