"long fingers...."

[Tinkerbell]

In my analysis of Chapter 5 Diagon Alley in PS/SS, I found this very interesting!


‘He had a swarthy, clever face… very long fingers and feet.’ ‘Mr Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Harry’s forehead with a long, white finger.’


We have had discussions within the forums regarding descriptions of Voldemort having long, spider-like fingers, and here we have both the Gringotts goblins and also Mr Ollivander being described as having long fingers – is this just a peculiarity to the wizarding world, or is there something symbolic here?

[Alz]

Umm - interesting pick up there Tinky!

Well, lets look at Ollivander - he was the person that sold the twin brother wands to both Riddle and Harry ...
He was also able to recall the night of the Potters attack ... that is interesting in itself ...
Goblins are often seen as untrustworthy but the magical world - but that could because they were never able to 'enslave' them like they did the House Elfs during the rebellions?
I suppose what I am saying, are the fingers a subtle link to show people that can't be trusted or possibly in league with Voldemort?
We had someone try to break into Gringotts - it is suppose to be pretty much the most secure place - so wonder if someone had some inside help?
The Ollivander - something not right with that dude ... he appears to be honest and upfront - I suppose I refer back to the earlier point about he passed both wands and also knew of the events from the attack night pretty well ...

[Tinkerbell]

Yeh, I think it is interesting in that in other fiction, you find characters, such a Dracula and vampires, who are described has having long fingers, almost a sign of pure evil!!

[Tonks]

I really don't think there's anything there with the goblins - possibly because they're an entire race and the wizarding world already does see them as untrustworthy.

As for Ollivander, however, I have always thought there was more to him than meets the eye. Other than his strange memory for every wand he's ever sold, there just seems to be something a bit creepy and sinister about him.

I don't know if his fingers are exactly anything important, but in my mind they do seem to link him with Voldemort and evil and just help to enhance a creepier image of the man we know as Ollivander.