J.K. Rowling Approves of New HARRY POTTER Fan Theory on 'Three Brothers' Tale

HARRY POTTER nerds -- like any devoted fandom -- continue to peel back the layers of their favorite series in search of new meanings. And, occasionally, one stumbles upon a true insight. So true, in fact, that purveyor of all that is HP, author J.K. Rowling, approves.

A popular theory about "The Tale of the Three Brothers" from THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD, a book of fairy tales introduced in the final installment in Rowling's magical series, has been making the rounds. The idea is that the story is an allegory for four of the characters from the books.

In the story, Death gives a gift to each of three brothers. The first brother receives an unbeatable wand -- the Elder Wand -- which he uses to vanquish his most powerful opponent. The second wizard uses the Resurrection Stone to bring his lost love back to life. And the third takes Death's own invisibility cloak to avoid perishing until he is ready to greet Death "as an old friend."

Voldemort, with his unstoppable thirst for power, represents the first brother. Snape takes on the role of the second brother, as he pines after Harry's dead mother, Lily. And Harry represents the third brother; he inherited the invisibility cloak from his father and uses it only for good.

And here's the most interesting part of the allegory: Dumbledore represents Death. After sacrificing himself for the rest of the magical world, Harry meets his "old friend" in the afterlife at King's Cross. Dumbledore was, at some point along the way, in possession of all three of the Deathly Hallows. And finally, he is the only person Voldemort ever feared. Given that the Dark Lord's worst fear was Death, Dumbledore = Death.

Below, watch "The Tale of the Three Brothers" as animated in HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1!

To post a comment, you must register and login.