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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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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
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7720
dominor says:
Thats rubbish in my opinion..What does this guy know about JK and the 7th book??I find him completely wrong as the only thing we can do is guess or hope about Harry's death and we can't be sure about ANYTHING...
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 4:43 AM EST
Student
Points: 275
~>*PhoenixGurl*<~ says:
I'm really sure that JK will not kill Harry. And for sure Voldemort is going to die. And another person whom I suspect would die is Snape.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 7:05 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1012
Enchanting Fairy says:
smart hermione:
Yeah, i see your point, and you are probably right. However, when i first read the prophecy i understood it to mean they both (Voldermort and Harry) would have to die and i had to convince myself that it didnt mean that (and it meant, the same as what you think, that one of them will have to die). Now when i read it, it does seem that only one of them will die(either) but I think JK has worded the prophecy carefully for a reason.
I still think that in some way Harry may die in the final book. Here are just some random ideas... he may have to die to kill Voldermort or maybe someone (a deatheater?) will kill Harry after he has defeated Voldermort. I know they dont seem that likely but like i said in my previous post no-one but JK knows what will happen in book 7.
To be honest i dont think harry will die, but i was just saying that this man doesnt actually know for sure.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 7:14 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1012
Enchanting Fairy says:
smart hermione:
Also, yes i do agree that there is no way Voldermort will live and Harry will die- that would be awful.
But i dont think Ron and Hermione will die, i think the book will end with the trio still strong,and i also dont think Ginny will die. But I am mostly just saying this because i really, really hope they dont die!
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 7:19 AM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
I think he is right or at least i hope he is. I have always thought that Snape is on the good side and i hope he doesn't die.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 7:23 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
zoe hurley:
Glad you agree :-)
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 7:53 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
Therin Ennui: You're right about what you said, but the prophecy also says :
either must die in the hands of the other
The world either means one of them, so thats what keeps me thinking that only one of them will die. However, jk wrote quite a complex prophecy and she played with the words a bit, so no one can say what'll happen. We'll just have to wait for the 7th book :-)
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 7:57 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
Enchanting Fairy:
You're right; only jk knows what'll happen so we just have to wait :-)
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 8:03 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 485
The_Spectra says:
Hmmmm interesting take. I'm not sure that relying on Victorian literature for backing evidence is the best choice. JK is her own author and will do what she feels is best for her characters. But as I said, its an interesting take on the situation.
On Neville though, I don't really think he is the chosen one. The HP series is about choices, and namely, Harry's choices. So as Harry CHOSE to fulfil the Prophesy, he didn't have to, he could have very easily backed down from Voldemort and totally ignored the Horcruxes as they don't even really concern him but he DIDN'T. He fulfiled his own prophesy and cemented his role as the CHOSEN ONE and in Voldemort's potential (but very very likely) defeat.
JK is very fond of Harry, but I'm still not really conviced that he will survive (please prove me wrong) and even this new analysis hasn't really changed my mind!
T^o^P
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 8:23 AM EST
Squib
Points: 158
sylvrbdrfly says:
After book 6 I was in the camp who thought that Harry is a Horcrux and must die in order to destroy that piece of Voldemort's soul, so that he can be killed. But I have come to think that he may still be a Horcrux and not have to die in order for him to kill Voldemort. As for Neville being the chosen one, the prophecy says that Voldemort will mark the one who is his equal, and it is explained to Harry that Neville is not the one. Neville may still die, but he is not the "chosen one"
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 8:59 AM EST
Student
Points: 256
phoenixgirl127 says:
Sorry but HARRY WILL DIE!
Even if it is at the same time as Voldy or to heroicaly save his best friends HE WILL DIE!
End of.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 11:30 AM EST
Witch
Points: 622
Hermison says:
I agree with the expert in the part that Harry wont't die. I don't agree in the part that Neville could die, it is just too sad.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 651
Therin Ennui says:
smart hermione, it does? Okay, I believe you.
"We'll just have to wait for the 7th book :-)"
...and it's driving us crazy.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 11:56 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1229
sapphire260 says:
I hope this expert knows what he is talking about because everyday I hope and pray that no one from the trio will die!!
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1570
aWeasley Angel says:
Well, Truly we will not know until the book is out. But we can all hope Harry is not one of them.
Though I don't want any to die. But I guess with the plot thusfar someone must go.( some more)
I won't commen ton the man who conjured up this thought I will leave that. I read this thinking JK was saying it out of her own mouth.
I should have known
Later
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:22 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
That professor said Neville Longbottom is the chosen one? I thought he was the Boy That Could Have Been...but Voldemort marked Harry? That makes me wonder if he is really into HP. Anyway I dont think Harry dies. Its still possible though. Im at the point where I just want to wait & see; its not as if there were any other way of knowing.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:27 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1234
Krum says:
Wellll this proffeser seems to be very obnoxious if I do say so myself. I actually think Jo will kill harry, but I am reallly not sure, hmmm maybe she wontt. Ughh its so hard.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 12:52 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 503
Zauber says:
That is great that somebody thinks that Rowling won't kill Harry.I really hope she doesn't kill him.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 2:24 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
First off, how does she know this?
did she write the book? no, i think not.
but everyone has opnions and hers sound good but we'll see...
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 4:24 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 479
jenjen220 says:
I dont think neville is the chosen one... what makes this guy think he knows it all?
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 4:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 289
I need a time-turner! says:
I dont think that Neville is the chosen one, I think she just put that in there to make you think he might be, you know to just throw you off a bit! I do however think he may die :*( I Think Lord Voldemort will die :) and I do think Snape (I believe he is fighting for good also!) will die too, but not at the hands of harry! I think Voldemort will catch on and kill him in front of harry after he try's to save harry or something like that! I dont know who will be the 2 extra people to die but I think ron and hermione will live.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 5:03 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2346
PHOENIX5625 says:
I agree with all of that. JK loves HP like a son she can't kill him after so many years.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 5:28 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 494
CENTAURrising says:
Well, this is good news! Let's hope they're right!
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 6:45 PM EST
Emma's Darkest Secret
Points: 4604
Firestrike212 says:
I dont know what this guy is smoking but hes prob wrong. First of all Neville wont die. Hes not the chosen one, Harry is. And second of all Harry will prob die.
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 7:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 634
Tammyant says:
Oh...I really hope he's right! I don't underdtand why he says that Neville is really the chosen one. Didn't Dumbledore address that, and insist that Voldemort chose Harry? Sounds awful, but Neville can be the chosen one if it means he dies and Harry lives. Harry is the boy Who Lived. How can he possibly die???
Posted Jul 20, 2006 at 8:50 PM EST
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