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The Horcrux of the Matter: External Souls in Folk Tales, and their Reflections in the Harry Potter Novels
Program Code:
380
Date:
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Time:
9:00 AM to 9:50 AM
EST
PANELIST
(S):
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about each speaker.
Valerie Estelle Frankel was born at an early age. She now teaches creative writing for all ages, and composition for San Jose State University. There, she became the youngest person ever to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Her many short stories have appeared in over seventy magazines and anthologies including Legends of the Pendragon, Rosebud Magazine, and The Oklahoma Review. Valerie's very excited about her new book, Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody, published through Wingspan Press. Many of her short stories lurk on her website, along with writing tips, contests, giveaways, and an interactive fantasy kingdom especially for kids. Readers who long to waste their valuable time can play Chickenfeet Academy Games, check out the Henry Potty eBook, and cavort with flying pigs for hours at www.HarryPotterParody.com.
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Katherine E. Krohn, Ph. D. studied Classical Latin and Greek at San Francisco State University back in the Twentieth Century. She remembers with a certain amount of awe the advice of Professor Edith Croft, who encouraged Classics students to have laminated cards made up, so they could review Greek verb conjugations each morning in the shower. (Yes, there are enough parts to the Attic Greek verb to make this necessary.)
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Description
This panel examines "Pros and Cons" of Horcruxes: Throughout folklore, the evilest witches cannot be killed because their hearts and magical powers are hidden far away, under guard. The hero must battle all sorts of traps and guardians in order to reach the source of the evil person's power. While this protection of one's soul seems practical on the surface, dangers abound. A magical focus augments one's power, but foci often shatter or betray one at a critical moment. Characters likewise can place part of their souls into animals—perilous if the animal or person dies during the connection. Mythology and folklore echoes this theme, as people's souls are often trapped in objects, from slaves of magic mirrors to slaves of lamps. As we explore these legends, the audience is encouraged to share folktales, myths, and fantasy that feature elements similar to Horcruxes or the nature and ramifications of soul-splitting.