Reading Journal #3 – Does Voldemort Have A Silver Bullet Handy?

In Eveline Brugger’s, “Hairy Snout, Human Heart?” she delves deep into the biology, history, and different variations of werewolves (both in the muggle world and in the wizarding world). Once becoming a werewolf (through a spell, curse, or being bitten), the path a person chooses can greatly influence their, new, werewolf life. Brugger describes the extremes of both sides of living life as a werewolf, comparing “friendly, gentle professor Lupin,..a staunch supporter of Harry and Albus Dumbledore and the hardship he has to endure because of his condition” with Fenrir Greyback, someone who “actively embraces his monstrous nature, even cherish[ing] it to the point where he acts wolflike even in his human shape” (303). The similarities between the two lie only in their physical nature: one wanting to avoid the transformation at all costs, and one “attacking even without the full moon” (HBP, 593). It is particularly interesting, to me, how Voldemort views the whole situation, based on a previous chapter that we’ve already read “Was Voldemort a Nazi?” by Nancy Reagin.

Summarizing the work of Reagin, she compares the Nazi’s and Death Eater’s motives for eliminating anyone who wasn’t either pure German or pure Witch or Wizard. What’s even more interesting is the list of other “undesirables” that Reagin mentions: gypsies, gays, mentally ill, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. (136). Now, Voldemort and Hitler did not have the same list of undesirables, however, they had a certain set of people that did not fit into their category of worthiness to survive. Taking a look at Voldemort’s patience, he even kills some of his own people. This leaves me the question, if Voldemort was motivated with a goal of clearing out the half-bloods, muggle-born, and anyone who was not a pure witch or wizard, then why were werewolves an exception?

Brugger explains that werewolves “are considered half-breeds or part-humans by most wizards” (299). Since this species is clearly not considered “pure” by the wizarding world (or Lord Voldemort), then why would Greyback’s pack “wage their own war against the magical community…in the service of Lord Voldemort, who is himself a wizard” (299)? We already know from the previous chapter that Voldemort wants the wizarding world to be as pure as possible. So, why are these rogue wolves an exception?

Another example (perhaps even more obvious) is the fact that Greyback wants to completely destroy witches and wizards. In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Greyback is displayed as someone who “wants to create enough werewolves to overcome the wizards” (298). Clearly, this should be a huge sign to Voldemort to cancel any plans with werewolves in an instant. Unless, of course, Voldemort is only using the wolves to eliminate part of the problem and plan to overtake them when the time is right.

Aside from, perhaps, using their “magic to turn themselves into murderous beasts in the devil’s service,” werewolves, clearly had plans different than Voldemort’s (297). If overtaking the wizarding world was the outcome of Greyback’s tactics, then Voldemort might want to reconsider whom he picks to join his side.