2006-08-01 06:23:48 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I think that JK Rowling means Hitler. Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald in 1945. WW2 ended in 1945 and Hitler was defeated in that year.
2006-08-01 11:02:43 · answer #1 · answered by simse 2 · 13⤊ 2⤋
Grindelwald was a Dark wizard before Lord Voldemort and his only mention is in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on Albus Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog card which notes that Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald in 1945.
It has been speculated that, since 1945 saw the end of World War II, there may be a connection between Grindelwald and Adolf Hitler and so it is possible that Grindelwald was head of the magical wing of the Third Reich, or even that Adolf Hitler was acting under the Imperius Curse. This is further supported by the fact that "Grindelwald" is a German-sounding name, "Wald" meaning "forest" in German. (Grindelwald is also a place in Switzerland where Richard Wagner—whom Hitler admired—lived.) Grendel was a monster in the epic poem Beowulf. Even one of Dumbledore's middle names is Wulfric, talking part of Beowulf's name. J. K. Rowling has since indeed indicated that there was a global wizarding war taking place at the same time as World War II and that the two fuelled each other. [1]
Some fanfiction authors try to expand Grindelwald's character, and to tie him in with the present-day characters. It is unclear whether Grindelwald will be significant in any way in the upcoming book, but Rowling has confirmed that he is dead.
It is speculated that Grindelwald could have met the young Dark wizard Voldemort (who would have been in his teens) prior to the former's defeat by Dumbledore. It is possible that Grindelwald used horcruxes.
It is also possible that Grindelwald is just a literary device to explain why good wizards did not interfere to stop the war - they were too busy with Grindelwald. A similar idea is used in comic books to explain why superheroes do not prevent real-world atrocities; they didn't end WW2 because someone cast a spell to keep them out of Europe, or they were on another planet during 9/11. This allows the author to present a consistent world that has allows both fantastic magic, as well as heroes who are not able to prevent all disasters.
2006-08-01 13:58:19 · answer #2 · answered by Jessica H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the dark wizard that Dumbledore "destroyed". I like Jessica's answer, hadn't thought of the connection to Hitler.
2006-08-01 14:04:32 · answer #3 · answered by raz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he is the dark wizard who dumbledore defeated in 1945, kind of a j.k rowling metaphore for hitler.
2006-08-01 13:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by nerdyhermione 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IS it a character from harry potter?
2006-08-01 13:26:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋