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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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Professor
Points: 1023
Magical Teapot says:
I truly believe that JK will not kill Harry. It just won't happen. I also believe that someone like Ron or Hermione (perhaps Neville) will have to die as much as I don't want them too.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 10:44 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 354
Ron&Hermione-forever says:
Well I hope he's right! But, he doesn't know for sure that JKR won't kill him to make sure other people can't write about Harry. I think she would be willing to do that. 'Rowling won't go that far because she cares about Harry,' I agree with that and I really think Harry deserves to live, I mean of course he does with all he's gone through. I don't agree when he says, 'Longbottom is really the chosen one so I suspect he'll die.' Dumbledore already explained in OotP that Harry was definitely the chosen one, because he has escaped Voldemort five times, so that disproves what the literature expert said for this point. Neville is no where as powerful as Harry, or brave. I really hope Harry lives and marries Ginny. You rule Harry!
Anyone can give their opinion on this matter. But, it seams to me that this guy might have just wanted to get his face in the papers. Does this man have anything to do with Harry Potter? Well, I have to say that I do agree with most of what he said but, I think any fan of Harry Potter could have said what he did.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 10:47 AM EST
Witch
Points: 651
Therin Ennui says:
I was sick of Sherlock Holmes, too. He deserved to die. I don't know about this Krasner guy, though. He's too sure of himself.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 10:57 AM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
I knew he would not die. yes
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:04 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1762
AidanK says:
Wow, everyone has to give their 'professional' opinion on the HP books. Personally, I believe that there is a very good chance that Harry will die as he kills Voldemort. Good will still win overall in the end. I do agree with that part.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:07 AM EST
Witch
Points: 908
Rose Black says:
The fact of the matter is you can't compare authors to each other which the professer did twice! They all think on their own, and who is this person to say what will and won't happen. It is all JK's decision.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:10 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 43
~*Fleur*~ says:
I have to wonder if this "expert" has even read the books. Neville is NOT the chosen one because Voldemort did not choose him. He marked Harry as an equal, which is the only reason that the prophecy is being fulfilled.
Of course, I hope that Harry will not be killed off, but I am not ruling it out as a possibility at all. Just because JKR loves Harry, it doesn't mean that he won't die in the war. The book is about life, and life contains death. This "expert" is a quack, in my humble opinion.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:15 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27754
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Neville Longbottom is really the chosen one, so I suspect he'll die.
Doesn't he read. OYY
I think that Harry could die but I hope he doesn't.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:16 AM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
Well if she does she does...... but it will make alot of people really sad......
but it has to come down to harry dying..... there are 7 books and no more after that... so there is your hint
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1789
Veela~Girl says:
I've got to agree with Krasner that I don't think Harry is going to be killed off. Not that I wouldn't be happy either way (I know Jo will do a great job no matter what she has decided!) but I just believe that Harry is going make it! I tjink others in this thread have offered some good explainations of why this is likely (the story is written first-person, etc.).
I do not for one minute believe that Jo would kill Harry off only so others can't continue the story. To do so would be selfish and irrational and very un-Jo-like!!! Jo will stick to the story that she formulated so many years ago, in which I believe, Harry's fate has been predetermined all along.
As for the part about Neville, I think we would have been a bit more forgiving of Krasner if he would have at least offered some validation. I agree with those who say this final blurt only discredits Krasner.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:24 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 357
RonlovesHermioneforever says:
Very interesting! I sort of thought that Snape or Neville would die but I really did think that JK would kill off HP during his big battle with LV, if that happens!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:27 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1012
Enchanting Fairy says:
Hmm, i dont think this person really knows what they are on about.
I dont want Haryy to die, but if that is how JK decides to end the book then that is what will happen, and i will just have to get over it along with everone else(after numerous days of crying!)
At the beginning this man says that good will hae to win and i dont doubt that good will win but that doesnt mean Harry wont die.
I think his guess (and that is what it is, a guess!) is as good as everyone else- probably not very good. The only person who knows for sure is JK.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:31 AM EST
Witch
Points: 718
Hedwig,express says:
First of all this guy has no control over JKR, like he said, this is her book and her character, so she has the right to do whatever she wants, This professor needs to tighten up on his harry potter facts too. Neville, Chosen One? HA!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:31 AM EST
Divine Intervention
Points: 2619
PhantomFingers says:
So many points but Neville ISNT the chosen one. But I think he's right in saying Neville might die. He's an up coming major character, so is Luna.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:33 AM EST
Witch
Points: 739
The 4th Champion says:
I hope he doesn't die, but only JK rowling knows for sure.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 819
Charmed... says:
Well really! Why does everyone have to give their proffesional opinions? Only Jo knows who is going to die and who is going to live. Its only guessing and everyones guess is as good as this. Personally i really don't want Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny or Hagrid to die.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:37 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1106
Rissa Weasley says:
I doubt that Neville is the chosen one, but he probably will die. Harry wont IF these are childrens stories like all you adults believe. If they are actual stories for ALL ages, then there is a possibility that he could die, althogh I doubt it.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:38 AM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
I really hope this bloke is right, I really want to see Harry Live to a good old age and have lots of kids with Ginny:)
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:41 AM EST
Witch
Points: 917
hermioneadmirer says:
That is a very good point. I agree with that wholeheartly.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:42 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 400
chinatown00x says:
As an English major I read the article from a educational point of view. Some things make sense and others are a little far-fetched, but I don't totally agree with this guy.
I do agree, and it's pretty obvious anyway, that Voldemort will die. That's the easy one. I think there's a good chance Snape will die because he's fighting for both sides and is an emeny/threat to everyone. So, he's a target. I don't think Ron, Hermione, or Neville wil die just because they'll have to take reins from Harry. Which leads me to my next point that I think Harry has to die. Just because he dies doesn't mean that evil wins. He and Voldemort could kill each other in their last battle and each go down as heroes in their own right. Or, and this is my favorite, utterly tragic ending: Harry is the last horcrux and he must somehow destory himself, or get someone else to, in order to save the wizarding world. I don't really think that will happen, but it's my romantic/tragic ending. Either way, Harry's gotta go and I think that's a better literary choice than keeping him alive.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:45 AM EST
Squib
Points: 189
Deidara says:
I think this guy is just like us. He's using what he knows to come up with theories about the books. Honestly, I think if this guy posted this here, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I do agree with him though: Harry will live, Voldemort and Snape will die, and Neville... I actually don't know. I'm a bit confused about why he says Neville's the chosen one. ...Maybe it's some kind of inside joke we're just missing!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
So much to think of but Neville can't be the chosen one because voldermort did not mark him as an equal if he was there is a major flaw in the book with the Prophecy. I think ron or Hermonie are going to die and other people i like! i hate deaths!!!!!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 713
Lily_Evans says:
When I heard that two more people happen to die, I immediatly ruled out that Harry is one of them. I don't mean to say that he won't die, but Jo wouldn't just get on to writing the book and THEN decide such a major thing happening. These are changes she wasn't planning on, but just naturally occured. I am not going to get any grand ideas of who is or who is not going to die in the last book. Many will, I'll just have to wait and see.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:47 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4279
Juicybit says:
I'm not sure he's right about Neville being the chosen one (he's probably wrong) but apart from that I pretty much agree. Yes, I think a lot of things can be predicted, after all literature was not invented by JKR...
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:50 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 416
Draco+Shanua says:
Neville the real chosen one?!? I don't think this guy completely knows what he is talking about. I hope he is right that Harry won't die, but he doesn't know for sure. He can only guess, JKR is the only one who knows one hundred percent what will happen.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:50 AM EST
Squib
Points: 112
Ginnyish3890 says:
WOW! I hope he is right i dont want Harry to die in the last book but i hope Neville does not die either but i hope for the best.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:52 AM EST
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