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JULY 18, 2006 at 9:25 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Newswise via Yahoo! News
A few weeks ago Harry Potter author JK Rowling appeared on the Richard & Judy show and announced to the world that two more characters have died than she originally planned in the last book. Fans have been grappling with who is going to die for weeks, and now James Krasner, professor of English and British Victorian literature at the University of New Hampshire insists
that Harry will not be killed off in the last book.
According to Prof. Krasner:
There's no way Harry will die. Harry won't die largely because these are comic stories, like Dickens' novels, in which good has to win.
Whenever an author's books become very popular in his or her lifetime, as is the case with Rowling, a tug of war starts between the author and the fans about who the characters really belong to. Rowling, like Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes), is trying to assert her control. She’s reminding us that Harry is her character, not ours; she can kill him if she wants to. Doyle actually did kill off Sherlock Holmes, but Rowling won’t go that far because she cares about Harry. Conan Doyle was really sick of Holmes.
Krasner also points out:
Rowling caused a media sensation when she said a "major character" would die in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Rumors targeted Harry’s best friend, Ron Weasley, but in the end, it was it was Sirius Black, who Krasner says "was an important supporting character, but not really a major character like Ron."
Krasner's thoughts on who will die in the last book:
Lord Voldemort has to die. And Snape, who is really fighting for good despite all appearances, will likely die. Neville Longbottom is really the chosen one, so I suspect he'll die.
UPDATE: So far, most of you agree with him. In our ongoing death poll (now with over 20,000 responses), 60% say Harry will survive the series.
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Muggle
Points: 1
sadlyamuggle says:
I still don't know if she will kill Harry off or not but Neville is definitely NOT the chosen one!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:55 PM EST
Minister of Fun & Frivolity
Points: 2957
ScretWitch says:
Harry IS her character... so I guess it's fair that she alone can decide his fate. Personally I think she will have a difficult time either way. I can see people hating her if she does, but then I can also see something happening that she doesn't want - spin-offs (like the Star Wars series, books, tv...) I just hope that those stupid people out there (you know who you are!) don't send her and her family threats! They are out there... look how many of the World Cup refs got death threats and that is just a game! This is a book... fiction... Life is real.
Sorry... I'll get off my soap box now. SW
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:55 PM EST
Witch
Points: 510
Jealz says:
I agree Harry will not die. But I'm not sure Nevile or Snape will! I can't wait to find out though.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:58 PM EST
Forgetful Werewolf
Points: 14831
Patronus_Potter says:
Hmmmm we really will have to wait and see how the series will end, i can still see Harry dying at the end... I hope that he doesn't, i also hope that Neville doesn't die.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:59 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 341
**Miss Hermione Granger** says:
Yea, I too do kinda believe that he won't die...but he is JKR's character and it's her choice...so i will respect whatever she decides...
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:07 PM EST
Miss Cardaholic
Points: 5591
Maiden of the BH says:
Wow, this professor sure thinks highly of himself. Sure, I agree that Harry will most likely live and that Snape is good and that there's a chance that Neville is the chosen one, but how can you be certain? I belong to the OSD and believe Snape to be good, but this professor has said so almost as if he's denying that there's another side to the argument. He states that Neville is the chosen one with the same certainty. If I were JKR, I think I'd be a bit peeved at him for his confidence.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:10 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 622
Dumbledore's_Favorite says:
Atleast this is some comfort, but I won't believe it four sure until after I read the final book. I personally believe that Harry won't die. It is good to see that a majority of the people feel the same way.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:11 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 476
laughoutloud92 says:
nobody really knows if harry is going to die or not other than jkr so this literature Expert shouldnt go on like he knows exactly whats going to happen in the seventh book, i wouldnt be too happy with this person if i were jkr
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:19 PM EST
Student
Points: 292
Heartless says:
Say it ain't so! You guys don't believe him do you? If Harry does'nt die, then there will have to be more books! Otherwise the story isn't over. 'Comic stories' yeah right! These books are serious!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:28 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 55
babybabeana says:
I think it would suck if harry died but i've sort of gotten addicted to harry potter. i love him well i love the books. i get into them like their real and im right there. i'm weird. anyways i think i that it would be a sad but good way to end the books if harry dies, that way i dont go living on wondering what happened to harry after the seventh book? it makes crazy to know that there aren't going to be more books. i dont know if i agree with the professor.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:29 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 874
Silly Dragon says:
'Good has to win', maybe, yet we don't know what the 'cost' of that victory will be. I think it would make sense if Harry died, although it would be quite a dreadful end. Also I disagree that Sirius isn't a major character. his part in the story is highly important as he is linked to Harry's past.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:33 PM EST
Student
Points: 214
potter_ginny says:
Well we all know that nevile is not the choosen one.And if harry is not going to die then I think its great.
But if two more imp. charachter are going to die then lets hope its not ron or hermione or ginny.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:37 PM EST
Haldir's Horcrux
Points: 6268
Corvis says:
This seems like a hot debate, and all we have is speculation until it happens. I mean look at the Dumbledore issue. I wonder what Krasner 's views on that are..
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:37 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 305
hoggywartswitchwannabe says:
I really don't want Harry to die. I really think that wil be very upseting to most fans. Yet it is her character, butI think that she won't kill him. As prof. Krasner re called that 'god has to win' I am sure that JK rowling doesn't kill Harry.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:38 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2146
kkids says:
Prof. Krasner -
You are definitely correct in stating that these are her characters. Your speculation as to who will and will not perish is just that...speculation. Great analytical reasons as to who will and will not die, though.
I too, have wondered if book 7 would lead us to realize that Neville was indeed the true chosen one. Time will tell.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:40 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 701
cmenges says:
According to Prof. Krasner:
There's no way Harry will die. Harry won't die largely because these are comic stories, like Dickens' novels, in which good has to win.
Whenever an author's books become very popular in his or her lifetime, as is the case with Rowling, a tug of war starts between the author and the fans about who the characters really belong to. Rowling, like Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes), is trying to assert her control. She’s reminding us that Harry is her character, not ours; she can kill him if she wants to. Doyle actually did kill off Sherlock Holmes, but Rowling won’t go that far because she cares about Harry. Conan Doyle was really sick of Holmes.
[b] I think you will find that BECAUSE book 7 is the last book you can NOT trust Harry Potter to survive. TRUE good must win but not always at the survival of the hero. [b]
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:45 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 453
CandyCrazy says:
You know what...we should wait until the book comes out..and then smear the book in his face.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:59 PM EST
Guardian of the Realms
Points: 5601
A&Agang says:
I disagree with this Krasner guy. I don't think that his predictions will come true at all. Or at least not all of them. And I also STRONGLY DISAGREE that Snape is really fighting for the good side.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 2:59 PM EST
Student
Points: 214
Beauty In My Eyes says:
Just because some literature expert claims that Harry won't die doesn't mean it can't still happen. JK will do what she wants, not what other people want her to do.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3045
Tinker.belle says:
I agree with him in everything except that Neville is the chosen one, that just cant be.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:04 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1161
Potter_girl says:
I hope he is right about Harry not dying. I do not believe that he will, and I don't want him to! I'll be too devastated. I can't wait 'till Voldemort is gone forever and Harry can finally have a much deserved happy life. Good has to win over evil!!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:05 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2723
Liz_Malfoy says:
What makes this guy think that he can predict whats going to happen, when the fans (who probably know the book better than him) can barely predict it!
I don't think JKR is going to have a "the hero wins, evil is destroyed and everyone's happy" kind of ending. It's just not like her. I think Harry and Voldemort will both die fighting each other.
Neville is the chosen one? Wasn't it already stated that it's deffinetly Harry who is the chosen one?
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 953
im freeeeeeeeee says:
This is so fake I mean this guy doesn't know who will die any better than we will. I think that just because hes an "expert" doesnt give him the oppurtunity to tell us that his guesses are fact. I love harry and I dont want him to die but if he does it would show this guy that jkr is a genius and no one can guess what will happen in the next book.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:19 PM EST
Squib
Points: 159
krista radcliffe says:
Neville cant be the chosen one! Book 5 clearly states that Voldemort will mark the one he consideres an equal, most likley to be a threat and that was Harry. If Alice would have died for Neville in the same way Lilly died for Harry because Voldemort was going to kill him, then Neville would be the chosen one, but because of Voldemort, it is Harry, and it will always BE Harry, that wont change. Book 5 makes it impossible that it would be Neville who has to kill or be killed by Voldemort in the end. IT IS HARRY!!! I dont care what any lit. annalist says.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:23 PM EST
Comedy Princess
Points: 3398
Ginevra M. Weasley says:
I hope that professor is right...I want Harry to live and marry Ginny...I really do...and Ron to marry Hermione...YES!
Ginevra.
PS...I forgot...and Hagrid to marry Madame Maxime.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:23 PM EST
Queen of the Fae
Points: 4613
marauderette says:
I think Harry will live too, but I wonder how he believes that Neville "is really the chosen one"? Interesting idea, but he should explain it more.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:28 PM EST
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