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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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Wizard
Points: 518
theduece says:
Either a survival or the death would be that of a hero and they would distroy each other. Personally I think that Harry will live.
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 12:20 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1174
Fleur Delacour* says:
I really hope Harry won't Die, because if so, then that would be a little weird, because, were never going to see him again anyways, but, i highly don't think he will, but i dunno, he might.
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 2:06 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
Well, when read it from the book I will believe it. I agree that Snape is going but I never whould have guessed Neville.
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 2:47 AM EST
Witch
Points: 917
zxPurplezx says:
I knew it! I always knew he wasn't going 2 die! You can't have the main character die!
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 6:35 AM EST
Witch
Points: 917
zxPurplezx says:
Whyis everyone talking about Neville is dieing now? Some person said they think Neville willdoe. Thatdosn't mean he is going to die!
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 6:36 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
Well, Krasner's really sure of his theory isn't he? I don't really believe his statement about Snape and Neville... And his whole point on that Harry wouldn't die...
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 7:50 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 462
Elemenope says:
I'm always interested in hearing different views on whether or not Harry will die at the end of this story so I readily pulled up Prof Krasner's opinion.
I do not see anything new in his writing. Prof K says Harry will live because we (and JKR) like him and that Voldemort will die because he is evil. This genre, says Prof K, dicates that good win over evil and in that, I agree wholeheartedly. Jo has thrown us some curves and I love it when she surprises me, but if Voldemort takes over the world in a muggle killing rage, then we'd better send the police to Jo's house to find the pod and the alien that is her doppleganger!
Of course good will triumph in the Harry Potter world. However, that does not mean that Harry must live and Voldemort must literally die. Throughout the books we see a recurring theme that there are things worth dying for; Harry can win and still die. We are told that death is not the end, merely "the next great adventure". In [u]Goblet of Fire[u] and in [u]Half Blood Prince[u], Harry realizes that how we face death is a choice; this is best presented in the HBP chapter "Horcruxes". He realizes that how we face death matters.
We are also told more than once that death is not the worst thing that can happen; Voldemort shrieks his disagreement in the Ministry of Magic atrium. Dumbledore tells us that some of his wardings in the cave show Voldemort's fear of death and of pain. What more fitting end than for Voldemort to learn that his fears were wrong and then being subjected to that "something worse than death".
I don't know how JKR will work it out (and I can't wait to find out!), but I feel certain that Harry will die in his confrontation with Voldemort. Voldemort will be vanquished, but not killed and Harry will die in a manner similar to James, Lily, Sirius and Dumbledore. Harry is willing to die to see Voldemort utterly and irrevocable defeated. The conclusion of book 7 will echo the mood of [u]Half Blood Prince[u] - grief and hope.
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 9:56 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1448
Wulfric_Brian says:
Whew! I don't know how much we can trust an expert without word from JKR, but I really hope Harry doesn't die. That would be devastating. And I love Snape! I don't want him to die!
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 6:09 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1174
Fleur Delacour* says:
I really don't think Harry will die, and, if he does i will really be highly surprised, but, i don't think he will.
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 9:49 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
Wicked!Quite interesting,I think i kinda agree with him,he has a point there.And JK has the right to kill Harry(hope not)if she wants to.And the part where Neville is gonna die,no offense,I love Neville,but isn't he suppose to be the choosen one.I mean,maybe in the 7th book he will show us what he's really made of.I know he wants to avenge his parents,and by killing or helping to kill Voldemort,in the process he will sacrifice himself.
Posted Jul 22, 2006 at 11:13 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
This expert doesn't know what J K Rowling will do. No one does but her. It is up to her who she kills off and why. Personally, I don't want Harry to die, but if that is what she chooses, then that is her choice. As I have said before, no one can make J K Rowling change her mind about who will live and who were die.
Posted Jul 23, 2006 at 8:53 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 90
Hogwartsdork says:
Yeah, and the back cover of 'The Da Vinci' code said "read the book and be enlightened." I read it and I don't feel anymore enlightened.... But not Neville, oh god no....
Posted Jul 23, 2006 at 12:58 PM EST
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4116
Padfoot4387 says:
Neville!
Neville can't die... and this Krasner guy seems a bit presumptuous. JK Rowling is unpredictable, and even if he IS a literary expert, he can't know what she's planning. Watch Snape and Neville not die.
Posted Jul 23, 2006 at 1:27 PM EST
Witch
Points: 633
snakeeyes says:
I like to think that he has the right idea about Snape, but as a general view - he's not JK. He's probably very well established in his field, and doubtless has made a very well educated guess, given his background, but he can never ultimately predict the correct course and fate of the books. Only one person knows, and she sure isn't breathing a word. Harry's death would be fitting, albeit sad, and I kinda hope he dies, just to prove this person wrong.
Posted Jul 23, 2006 at 5:25 PM EST
Hogwarts Valedictorian
Points: 2807
Lily*R/Hr says:
Hear hear, Harry's gonna live for sure! I've been telling people that all along (not quite the same reasons, but I generally agree): There's no way JKR could kill off this character who's so close to her heart.
Posted Jul 23, 2006 at 10:25 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5155
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
Ok that is good, because i dont want him to die too. but if it Jo decicion that oh well.
Posted Jul 24, 2006 at 12:15 AM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Ari_: You have a very good point there. J K Rowling is very unpredictable, it is time the "experts" realise that!
Posted Jul 24, 2006 at 2:05 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 64
hpfreak14 says:
Everybody thinks Harry's going to die but this guy knows what he's talking about.
Posted Jul 24, 2006 at 4:30 PM EST
Witch
Points: 509
luna_moon says:
Neville Longbottom is really the chosen one, so I suspect he'll die." Uh. . .no. And I about had a heart attack when I read this article. I don't think this poor man knows what he's talking about.
Posted Jul 24, 2006 at 5:24 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 328
Shanthis says:
I agree that Snape and Voldemort will die in the last book but I dont believe Neville will have the same fate. If anything i think Neville will play a big part in fighting Voldemort like Ron and Hermione.
Posted Jul 24, 2006 at 6:10 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1069
NYmphTonks says:
Of course no one wants to see Harry die!! He's the hero and the main character! Whether it's the last book or the first book, no one ever wants the main character to die!! I won't like it if JKR kills off Neville either! He's been a great character in the series and I think many have become atttached to him, like myself, because of his parents. If Snape and Voldemort are the two that die, that would be more bearable than Harry and Neville, that's for sure! So let's see the two death eaters bite it, but not the good guys, okay?!
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:57 AM EST
Luvs Vincent Valentine
Points: 6925
HP's greatest fan says:
Ahhh..great to know that Harry will live. I mean after all if JKR did indeed kill Harry in her 7th book, then there will be an outcry from her fans, just as there were from the fans of Sherlock Holmes.
But still no matter what..kudus to JKR for creating such a brilliant story, the one and only lovable HARRY POTTER!!!!
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 1:03 PM EST
Professor
(Moderator)
Points: 1180
Vermin Jerky says:
I agree with this feller on most points, except about Neville.
I still say the best reason Harry won't die is because JKR is just a better author than that. In short, she'd ruin the series, and maybe her career, by killing Harry.
I do agree, though, that she also loves Harry too much.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 2:27 AM EST
Squib
Points: 177
Werewolf Cal says:
This Krasner bloke seems to be almost positive that he is correct. I can see where he's coming from with the whole Conan Doyle and Holmes contrast but he just seems to coky. Longbottom is the real chosen one...I used to think this but I doubt it now. The way this articles been written it seems that he thinks he is 100% correct. I don't think that Harry will die although many do. Cal
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 10:15 AM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
hpfreak14: No he doesn't. He is not J K Rowling. He is dosn't know what she is going to do with her charaters.
Also welcome to Hpana! I hope you have a great time here with us!
luna_moon: Totally agree with you there. He hasn't obvoisly undoerstood the Prophecy.
Also welcome to Hpana! I hope you have a great time here with us!
HP's greatest fan: To be honest, there would be an "outcry" no matter what she would do.
Werewolf Cal: yeah I agree with you. I think that Krasneris way too cocky, and that would be his downful. I alkso don't want Harry to die, but I can see that happening so that J K Rowling won't be able to write anymore Harry Potter books. Which she'd said that she wouldn't. Also if Harry does die, it also means that no other author can pick up the series where J K Rowling left off. If harry dies (and I say if J K Rowling has given herself breathing space, and she won't be worry that another author would pick Harry up and give him more adventures.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 5:25 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 513
Humphrey Belcher says:
Good, I hope he dosen't.I'd be really dissapointed if JK wrote about Harry for 7 books, then just killed him off.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 8:37 PM EST
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