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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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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
Longbottom is My King
Points: 4729
Kelin says:
Neville Longbottom is really the chosen one, so I suspect he'll die.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! JKR already debunked that theory how long ago and some people still believe that Neville is the Chosen One. Goodness. *shakes head and wipes tears away*
These are Jo's books, no one else's. She alone is to decide who lives and dies. Don't anyone be shocked on who lives and dies.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:28 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1255
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
It doesn't sound like he knows much about Jo or the series for that matter. She could easily kill off Harry, and I hate to admit it, but I think she will. I could be completely off of course, because the series has been so unpredictable so far.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 844
~Silver Potion~ says:
Hmm... I don't believe that Neville is the true chosen one. As Dumbledore said Voldemort chose Harry, thus he marked Harry as the chosen one. Still we can all hope and pray that Harry really does survive the series so one day we can all read Harry Potter and the Mid-life Crisis as Jo once joked!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:31 PM EST
Squib
Points: 159
krista radcliffe says:
I agree completly with you Kelin!!!! I think that it is amazingly possible that that guy got dropped on his head at birth...so sad, a life wasted. What a shame. And im curious just where he think he stands to tell us what is going to happen in the books. He needs to curl up in a ball, and shut his mouth. So there.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:33 PM EST
Head House Elf
Points: 2755
Dobby says:
Um. Neville is really the chosen one? Yeah.. THAT makes sense.
But yeah, I doubt harry will die.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1680
WolfAversB14 says:
I still think it could be a happy ending even if he dies. Think about it.
What is the one thing that Harry has wanted ever since he can remember? To see his parrents! His death would suck for those who are alive, but since this story has been about Harry, it would be good to give him that. I seem to remember JKR replying to that question a while back as "not alive you won't", (or something along those lines).
Aside from just his parents, Harry will see everyone who has died. And you know that he'll see everyone that didn't die again some time.
All JKR needs to give us is a happy ending on an end note. The last three books have ended on some fairly sour and black notes....so I think it's about time for a happy and perfect one.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1786
sis <3 says:
I hope she's right!
I'd be so sad if she finished the books with killing Harry.
I too think Neville is a major carictor in number 7 and most likely that he'll end up being the chosen one or something... Unfortunally!
-Christina
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:46 PM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5145
Weesa says:
Well I do agree that Harry won't die and that LV will. Snape may die and maybe Neville will but I don't think he's really the chosen one. Harry is the chosen one because LV marked him as his equal.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:47 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4651
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Neville Longbottom is not REALLY the chosen one! Has Krasner not read the books? Of course Lord Voldemort will die, and probably Snape too. I think Harry is going to be saved.
~Drish~
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:50 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1338
Toms_Girl13 says:
Wow, this guy really doesn't know anything about Harry Potter does he. Neville as the Chosen One? How could he know that Harry would or wouldn't die.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:50 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4651
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Neville Longbottom is not REALLY the chosen one! Has Krasner not read the books? Of course Lord Voldemort will die, and probably Snape too. I think Harry is going to be saved.
~Drish~
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:51 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 367
ieiazel says:
I can't believe so many people here are that rude!Actually, most of what he says (excepts, maybe Neville's part) is based on facts. Not on facts from the books, but on the typology of fictional characters in books. Examples of what he says about Harry not being killed, or about the significance of Ron as Harry's major supporter can be found in other books. A teacher of Engliosh literature at the university told us that Harry Potter is very similar to Oliver Twist. They represent the victorian hero, a boy who lives in very difficult circumstances but who in the end is able to survive and improve.
Honestly, if you don't think Harry is going to die, or Neville is the chosen one, at least you could say it respectfully.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:54 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
felixfelicis14 says:
That's somewhat reassuring!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1370
hellothere says:
Neville Longbottom is really the chosen one, so I suspect he'll die.
??? Is he now? Where did new information come from? J.K. Rowling herself?
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 3:58 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2274
Phantom of the Opera says:
Who this MR. Krasner think he is?He said ``She's reminding us that Harry is her character,not ours´´ so Mr. Krasner dont say thing against you Harry and the storie belongs to J.K.R she decides if Harry dies or not not you!
-Prince-
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:05 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 56
Phoenix Heaven says:
What an IDIOT That guy is!!!!
Since when was Neville "really the chosen one"?. JK has already told us in several interviews that Harry is the true chosen one! Seriously, that guy needs a reality check. I doubt he's even a real literature expert.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:06 PM EST
Hermione's Twin
Points: 5063
*Miss Hermione Granger* says:
I`m not sure what he sad about Neville.............he could be right! I, like him think more than two will die, and I really hope that HARRY DOES NOT DIE!!!!! I qwould cry........cry more than DD and sirius put together!!!
I hope this guy is right....and it does make sence.How would harry die.........kill voldemort and then die for someone he loves or something.They could both die though....................please no!!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:09 PM EST
Student
Points: 200
Axel_of_Light says:
Interesting...very interesting his literature expert may have some proof. But I still think that only JRK knows whos going to die.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:13 PM EST
Student
Points: 272
Fuzzy Kneazle says:
Perhaps if the Professor had presented his opinion as just that (an opinion) rather than fact he would not have offended so many fans. Only JKR can say absolutely what is going to happen in her books. And we know from her books, website and interviews that some of the ideas the Professor has expressed cannot be true, such as Neville being the Chosen One. I agree with everyone who said he should have done more thorough research.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:17 PM EST
Princess of Fantasy
Points: 2538
magiclover13 says:
That's pretty interesting. I'm hoping that Harry won't die, but still know there's a chance that he could.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 657
krissiebear says:
How can he honestly think that he can predict something like that? I mean really. Is he in JK's head and know her feelings? What the heck?
I think it is inevitable that Harry will die, I have been preparing myself for it since I finished the 6th book a few hours after I got it. It's better not to get your hopes up that Harry will live and be completeely disappointed and crestfallen when he dies.
Ugh. Literary experts make me SICK.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:22 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 570
minister of muggles says:
Interesting, however we'll just have to wait to find out.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 888
HarrySiriusly says:
That is so weird! Those were the people i thought would die. Voldemort, Snape and Neville. I also have a theory about draco and lucius dieing also or Narcissa and lucius dieing.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:30 PM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3157
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
I don't think it takes a literary specialist to figure out that Harry will survive. As pointed out above, 60% of 20,000 (approximately 12,000) have already predicted the same and the majority of them are probably children or teenagers.
*The MRS*
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:32 PM EST
Wino Forever
Points: 8174
true half-blood prince says:
I don't know if Snape will die or not, it's really not that important really, but I don't think Neville will die. I think he is the one of Harry's friends who will become a teacher.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:43 PM EST
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