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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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Auror
Points: 2913
Pema says:
Not Snape! This is so sad! Well, the thought that Harry may not die in the end did actually brighten my day, but I still don't know how wholly I can believe it. Conan Doyle killed Sherlock Holmes because he was tired of him. Haha! Sounds pretty cynical though. Are these authors having a little TOO much fun? Hmmm...
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 4:34 PM EST
Student
Points: 289
Jynessa says:
Mmmmhmm... yeah, whatever... o_0
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 4:51 PM EST
Every Guys Perfect Girl
Points: 3523
smile cause i love u! says:
I think only J.k. Rowling could really decide who dies and who doesn't die. I don't think this guys opinion is much since he is not the author.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 4:53 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
It is not up to the "expert" over who lives and dies, but J K Rowling. She can kill off whoever she pleases, and yes we might get upset about it, but at the end of the day, Harry is her creation, not ours. If it hadn't been that train ride all those years ago, Harry Potter wouldn't have existed.
So what ever this expert will say, he is just specelating like us.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 5:58 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
Padfoots Escape says:
I totally agree with you SlytherinsPerfectPrefect, how on earth would he know what JKR is going to do? These are her books not his (i bet he hasn't even read them). And he should know, no author is alike, so why is he comparing JKR to Conan Doyle? How dose he really know that JKR is going to kill Harry? I mean if you think about it, if she considered Sirius Black as a major character, and this guy consideres him as a "important supporting character", what makes him think thank he can know what JKR is going to do or what she is thinking? To me, this guy is a total crack pot. People like these totally disturb me.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 6:03 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Padfoots Escape: Yeah, I totaly agree with you also. Harry is J K Rowling's not anyone elses. No one can influance her disigion over who she will kill off next.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 6:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 570
AvalonKarma says:
I would love it if Harry lived. And I find it interesting what Dr. Krasner says about Snape. OH man I am getting WAY antsy for this next book boys and girls!! All of ouyr questions to finally be answered. YIKES!! Very excitiing.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 6:12 PM EST
Student
Points: 297
lbrooks_94 says:
I sure hope their right! Harry can't die!
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 7:10 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1345
Dracos_Gurl13 says:
Personally I don't think she will keep him. She may not hate him but others will try to persuade her to continue in a another series. Others will also try to finish it for her. I think just to save herself time and trouble that she will kill him off. It would be the perfect sickeningly sweet ending to such an important series.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 7:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1841
Remmy4193 says:
That's a pretty good theory actually but honestly you never know what will happen. The only one who knows is Jo and we're not gonna find out until next year.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 7:36 PM EST
Student
Points: 268
DreamSickle123 says:
Well, that's his opinion. It's Rowling's story and she can do whatever she feels like doing. It's not the professor's story. We'll have to find out whenever Book 7 is released. (I can't wait!)
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 8:17 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1050
Phoenix Lover says:
I like his theory but I have to disagree with his reasons behind the idea that harry will die. If he does survive its not going to be because good always conquers evil. LV will die because of that reason. For good to still conquer evil, harry can die while killing LV, therefore, both can die. Only JKR knows the answer and shes not telling.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 8:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1819
zues says:
We'll just have to wait and see when the book comes out. The only person who knows is JKR, and she isen't telling anyone.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 8:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 639
Harry(the 4th champion) says:
Of course Harry won't die!!!!!!!!! HE CAN'T!!!!!!!! I agree with Krasner 100%. Except the part where he said Snape is fighting for good!!!!!!!!! Is he crazy!!!!
I can't wait for the final book to come out!!!!!
HARRY WILL NOT DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
VOLDEMORT WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 9:15 PM EST
Squib
Points: 162
mumof5wizards says:
Krasner has some really good points, but remember- at the end of the day its up to Joanne Rowling how she decides what about her characters. It is and always will be hers to do as she sees fit. After all, when an author writes so fabulously as Joanne has done, who are we to tell her what to do?!
I think, that the series will be a valued collection no matter what the outcome is of the final book.
faithfully yours
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 10:46 PM EST
Squib
Points: 159
harryfan890 says:
Well he better be rigth if she dose kill harry I well be so mad and I mean mad.
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 10:51 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
summerbreeze says:
I realllllllllyyyy realllyy don't think that Harry will die in book 7 because that would just be horrible!!! I mean JK Rowling can do whatever she wants with the characters I guess... And if she killed Harry off it would end the possibility of other authors adding onto the Harry Potter story later on... Can other people do that??
Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 10:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
I insist Harry will survive and i don't think Jo will desappoint us .
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:18 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 35
lapis says:
Well, originally I poo poo'd the idea of Neville being the chosen one. But, that would be an interesting plot twist, and we already know that DD and LV make mistakes. Suppose LV was wrong all along. What if LV made the wrong choice in choosing to murder Harry's family and not the Longbottoms? (didn't Harry wonder about that in book 6?)
I suppose it is possible that Neville will take LV out in book 7 and not Harry. Hmm... I still would not want to read that Harry dies or suffers in any way.
If I was forced to choose between Neville or Harry dying, I'm sorry to say I'd rather Nevill died than Harry.
Ultimately, I don't care who takes out LV as long as he's dead by the end of book 7.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:43 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 35
lapis says:
off topic but... Neville has the word "evil" in it. Coincidence? maybe.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:53 AM EST
Witch
Points: 932
ProngsForLily says:
JK is the only one who knows whether Harry will die or not. I really hope he doesn't. But this guy might have a point, perhaps Harry will live (yayy) and another character will die.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:57 AM EST
Student
Points: 226
Yanela says:
WHatever does happen in the last book, i just hope harry does live because it would be so sad, after all he has gone through.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 1:18 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
GeeMessy says:
Lord Voldemort-> YES
Snape-> Maybe
Neville-> No way!
I like his outlook. Cool of an expert to give his take on the final book. all I know is I cannot bear if any of the characters I love does not make it through. I will cry
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 1:27 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1435
krazykatie510 says:
I think its lame that hes insinuating that he knows these things. Id love to see him proved wrong, but I dont want Harry to die.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 2:32 AM EST
Student
Points: 226
bmacncheese says:
Neville really the chosen one? Hum i really dont think that is likly. Even though i dont want to say it i believe Harry, Ron or Hermione, or two or even all may possibly die. Darn that sucks.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 2:36 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1335
diggorys_girl says:
Phhh as if he really knows he may be an expert but can you really predict something that you have no idea about? I think not fair enought theres a 50% chance if he got it right but i am one that thinks Harry will die i just think its destined as sad as it will be if he did die i think its just likely that he should battle it out to the end, if you dnt agree thats cool thats just my opinion :P!
Em xx
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 2:55 AM EST
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