|
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.
Reader Comments (461)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2009 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
226-250 251-275 276-300 301-325 326-350 351-375 376-400 401-425
426-450 451-461
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
Auror
Points: 2358
Nataly says:
Seems that this author here knows everything...You never know what Rowlling might think in the end she might kill both of them he might not kill nor Voldemort nor Harry...you never know...you have to wait and we must have petience until the book come out....We cannot quess things!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:44 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 439
bubblegum says:
Wow thats such good news but we still don't no for sure.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 4:49 PM EST
Northern Belle
Points: 3968
American Angel says:
Oh please, I don't go for that. He has no idea what's going to happen. His guess is as good as anyone else's. Not that those things that he mentioned aren't going to happen (though personally, I highly doubt Neville being the "chosen one"), but he says it like absolutely positively knows what's going to happen. JK could do anything!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 5:02 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 376
sugarcake says:
I always thought Harry could die along with Voldie, a self-sacrifice like Lord of the rings. I don't think this guy knows what he's talking about, after all JKR has killed off other characters she loves. We'll see who's right....
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 5:08 PM EST
Vertigo Swinger
Points: 4011
Topher2707 says:
He really has no idea what he is talking about. Its not like you can just walk inside somebodys head and see what they are thinking. I think Harry has a good chance of living, but also a good chance of dying. The books always have interesting plot twists in them. You can never really guess what Jo is thinking.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 5:18 PM EST
The Faerie Queene
Points: 3277
merri maven says:
I still don't think Harry will die because good has to overcome evil in the end. I agree that Neville should get worried right about now.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 5:40 PM EST
Healer in Training
Points: 2661
nubian_weasley01 says:
Well, I truly hope she is right. I definitely can live with the death of Snape and LV; however, I don't want Neville to die. And I certainly disagree with him about Snape being a good guy and Neville being the "chosen one". Plus, how can he tell someone what to write about?
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 5:57 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4080
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
I agree. I don't think Jo has the heart to kill off Harry. Plus, if she kills Harry off, that will be the worst possible ending for the book. Harry dying will break millions of kids' hearts, it will be anarchy!!! I think Harry will survive, Ron and Hermione will of course survive, Snape, Voldemort, and maybe Neville will die, maybe draco also.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:02 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1150
Witch_one_counts? says:
You know, no one can really say whether or not Harry will die except J.K. I think it is possible she'll kill Harry off... Krasner's claim that her books are classic fights between good and evil may be accurate in some cases, but honestly, there is a chance that she'll kill Voldemort and Harry off at the same time. It would be the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the world, and how could fans argue with that? Anyway, I'm just reserving judgement until I read the last book. I don't believe anyone can predict what could happen, so I'm just going to wait. Have an awesome day everyone :)
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:18 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 327
azn_gurl_seeker13 says:
wOw.. why can't wormtail die too??
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:25 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 418
harry_rox11 says:
I don't have any idea who will die. Allthough I really do hope harry is not killed off. And i also think that Rowling will do what she wants to do with the characters... we all love the books so much and she writes them so i think what ever she does the last harry potter book will be absolutley fantastic. She may kill off harry and she may not?
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:30 PM EST
Squib
Points: 142
Marry Me Dan! says:
Who doesnt like to hear that our Harry wont die? WOOT WOOT! Go Mr Krasner! As for Voldemort dying, we can only cross our fingers. Snape... I dunno, I have some doubts. And for the 4850943805483958340504385340958934850340583495830945830534583908945830458034503485034058340953405803580th time, Neville is NOT the chosen one!!! But that doesnt mean we wont smile if he lives either.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:38 PM EST
rockstar
Points: 2857
Harry_J Potter says:
Oh really, professor? I suppose you WOULD know wouldn't you?? Honestly, what a prat. Neville is NOT the chosen one. Pompous, that one..
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:38 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
Neville the real chosen one!?!? I dont think so.....an interesting theory though.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:45 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
Neville was one of my choice of death character, about Snape I don't know, I just want to know if he's on the good or the evil side.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:50 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 711
Crookshanks the Auror says:
I won't believe anything about who is going to die until I hear it from Jo, herself... or just until I read it for myself when the last book comes out. I really don't think she will slip and tell everyone. She will probably just make us read the book and find out for ourselves.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:55 PM EST
Witch
Points: 745
Mrs._Sirius says:
Interesting theory... Hmmmmm.... I agree with Voldemort dying, Even Snape, ( who is on the good side) But. I dont believe Neville is the chosen one. Nope.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:56 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
Experts, experts, they are not always right.
Experts also said that Lord Of the Rings would be unsuccesfull, when it arrived at the printer.
But i do hope the experts are right now.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 6:59 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2078
HermioneLunaGinny says:
Hmmm...This is a very good point. I don't think Harry will die.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 7:02 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2351
Skitch says:
I agree with Professor Krasner. Harry can't die. It would really cheapen the whole series and ruin the triumph of good over evil.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 7:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 549
zoppieus says:
Harry is totally going to live. Its reall hard to think of harry died. It should be his reward to survive and live with a happy end yea. I mean he's been through hell since birth, give the boy a break already
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 7:21 PM EST
Princess of Nargles
Points: 4137
hp_fan206 says:
Lord Voldemort has to die. And Snape, who is really fighting for good despite all appearances, will likely die.
My thoughts exactly, though I really don't agree that Neville will die. I have a sneaking suspicion that on of the Weasleys will die, though that would make me extremely, extremely sad. :(
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 7:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
Cool! If he says Harry won't die, I'm all for it. Then again, it is JK's decision. Somebody does have to die.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 7:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 852
nejicanspin says:
The title of the poll is really something that you wouldn't normally hear everyday, but hey it speaks for itself right? I think that Voldemort and Snape are very likely to die in Book 7 Neville I really never thought about though. Can someone refresh my memory on what they mean on Neville being the chosen one again? My dad thinks that Hagrid will die because he gives Harry, Ron, and Hermione the right info on things. He also says Snape which I guess I can agree with him there. He doesn't think that it is any of the top 3 characters; Harry, Ron, and Hermione and neither do I. So here is and overview of the picks included on who will die in Book 7:
daniel radcliffe fan My dad
Snape Hagrid
Voldemort Snape
My last thought is that I hope Harry doesn't die and they have a point about JKR caring about him. P.S. Neither of us know who will get the reprieve yet either
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 7:54 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
I really hope that he is right and that Harry wont die! But i also agree with him in that Voldemort and Snape will die. Neville dying is something that i didnt think of before now, but it could be him.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 7:58 PM EST
226-250 251-275 276-300 301-325 326-350 351-375 376-400 401-425
426-450 451-461
Back to top of page