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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, 2nd Class
Points: 1763
hufflepuff_babe says:
Yes I certainly do see your diliema. I would love for Harry to survive as well and live happily ever after with his friends. My realistic side has been telling me that there's no way Harry would survive if this is the last book that JK Rowling is writing.
I am just hoping for a good ending and a good final storyline for the book. I really ask nothing more.
Posted Sep 14, 2006 at 9:51 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
hufflepuff_babe: I totally agree woth you there! I would love to see a good end for the story, and I would love for J K Rowling to bring out a sort of excipieda of Harry Potter, of all the things that she didn't write in the books, because I think that would be amazing to learn.
But I also hope that she gives each charater that is suvives the series a decent ending. I know she said that she was going to do that, and I'm sure that she would, but I hope that when she finially ends it, she won't feel such a relief, that she won't do a propper eperlogue.
Also I'm sorry, I haven't been here for a while, but I've been ill with a Throat Infection from my new job, so I will be around a lot more.
Posted Sep 17, 2006 at 8:03 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1763
hufflepuff_babe says:
Oh that's fine if you haven't been around in a while. I won't be on that often because I had school start and it's a lot of work.
I definatly agree that a Harry Potter explicatory book would be very nice. I would love to learn more about the Harry Potter world. I hope as well that she will finish the book with a proper ending. I really want to know about how the book ends for all of the characters. I can't wait!
Posted Sep 19, 2006 at 10:24 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
hufflepuff_babe: Good luck at your school! What year will you be going into?
I'm sure she will put in a very good ending, as its J K Rowling, and when has she ever lets us down?
Posted Sep 21, 2006 at 2:01 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1763
hufflepuff_babe says:
I'm going to a public high school in Wisconsin. It's not the greatest school but it's ok. I live in a really small town though so there's nothing to do. I'm at school right now in art class.
You're right! JK Rowling never dissapoints!! :)
Posted Sep 22, 2006 at 10:26 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
hey im new to this site but im really disapointed that harry doesnt die. I had a really good theory that when Volemort is about to kill harry he accedently (somehow)puts a Horcrux in him as well as a few of his powers therefore the prophecy makes sense when it says "neither will live while the other survives"
-I think its awesome how harry kissed Ginny :)
Posted Sep 25, 2006 at 12:12 AM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
hufflepuff_babe: Sounds like a good school anyway! Also how did you manage to come on Hpana whilest you were in class?
Spirit-Hunter: First of all, Welcome to Hpana! I hope you have a great time here with us! Second, please can you explin your theory again but with more detail? Its sounds great, but I want to hear more of it.
Posted Sep 25, 2006 at 2:53 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
hehe thanks!
ok in the 6th book they're talking about Horcruxs and how they (dumbledore and harry) pretty much guessed on what they are (Book, ring, locket, cup, somethin of griffondor or ravenclaw and the peice in lord voldemort. so I thought, that when Voldemort went to harrys house to kill him he either perposely or accedently put a horcrux in him. when Voldy vanished he left some of his powers in him which explains in one of the books. if harry is one of the horcruxs then the prophecy makes a little sense when it says said to harry "neither can live while the other survives" that means in order to kill voldey harry has to kill himself. but J.K. rowling said on this page that he wont die so im kinda dissapointed hah ~Cianna~
Posted Sep 26, 2006 at 7:30 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Spirit-Hunter I'm gald that he will suvive the series. I hope so, as he deserves to, afterall he has been through.
Also I disagree with you that Harry is a Horcrux. The reason why he has some of Voldemort's powers is because of the Advada Kedvada Curse. The Curse that failed.
Posted Sep 27, 2006 at 5:42 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 75
Arendere Major says:
It's the first time I've heard this theory about Harry as a horcrux. It's quite interesting in fact.
However it would mean that unless Harry died, a part of Voldemort would live with him. Maybe the only good part of Voldemort?
But.. well I can't imagine why would You Know Who want to make his enemy (that's what he thought about Harry when he tried to kill him, didn't he?) a horcrux. So, although it would be really interesting, I don't think this theory is true.
Posted Sep 28, 2006 at 5:23 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
hehe ya probely not oh well. I didnt mean im dissapointed in that way its that I read the 6th book againand it popped in my head sound a little reasonable so I wrote it down then I saw this "Harry wont die says literature expert" so my idea of course went down hehe. It would be interesting except that would only mean that Voldey (after the advada Kedvada curse failed) was still alive and able to put one in him so that he knew that whoever tried to kill him they would also have to kill harry as well. but now I see that this theory of mine cant work hehe.
~Cianna~
Posted Sep 28, 2006 at 9:38 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
heres a theory me and my older sister both have after reading the 5th book. We were thinking that when lily potter got an inventation to go to hogworts Harry's Aunt Petunia got a inventation as well but she did not want to go there or she thought that her parents would love her more if she didnt go to such a rubbish school (as she calls it) ~Cianna~
Posted Sep 29, 2006 at 12:35 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Arendere Major: I agree I don't think this theory is true nither. The only reason why Harry has some of Voldmeort's powers is because of the Advadah Kurse that failed on him. Also welcome to Hpana! I hope you have a great time here with us!
Spirit-Hunter: Yeah I agree with you that your first theory won't work! It was an intrersting one though.
With your second Sorry, I don't think that is correct as Petunia is not a Witch. J K Rowling has said that herself. Sorry to disapoint you!
Also Welcome to hpana! I hope you have a great time here with us!
Posted Oct 1, 2006 at 8:59 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
not a problem hehe and we (me and my older sis) didnt think she is a witch we just thought that she might've goten a letter too like her sister Lily P but not ever theory works its nice to have one or two peoples opinion on things thank you!
~Cianna~
Posted Oct 2, 2006 at 9:40 AM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Spirit-Hunter: If you thought Petunia wasn't a witch, why would you thought that she would get a letter? That doesn't make any sense. Please can you explain it to me again?
hufflepuff_babe: So hows is it all going? How is school?
Posted Oct 5, 2006 at 1:42 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
well you see when lily potter first got a letter to go to hogworts (at a 11 years old like everyone else) aunt petunia got a letter to go to hogworts too but didnt show anybody there fore she didnt go to hogworts and there fore she does not know how to do magic..
but then again since she has comunication with DD (read 5th book) she could also have learned magic may for protection i dont know, it could be for any reason.
and if thats the case she's called a squib (like mr filch- caretaker) anything else you want me to explain to you??
~Cianna~
Posted Oct 5, 2006 at 6:23 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Spirit-Hunter: I understand where you are coming form now. However, Petunia is not a Squib or a Witch. J K Rowling has said that to us on her website. I'm really sorry to tell you that you are worng, as I hate doing that to people.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 5:00 PM EST
Slugmeister
Points: 3732
Prawg says:
Yeah, the literature way is probably the best argument I have for Harry to survive as well. JK would not have the series finish with a "survival of the fittest, and that's Voldemort"-ending, so presuming that either Harry or Big V would have to go leaves the simple conclusion that Volders is a goner. Hopefully.
Posted Oct 13, 2006 at 6:14 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 442
dalishka says:
Neville wil die!!!!!!!!!!???.... Wao.... that rumor is really shoking... I hope thats not true at all, because neville is a really good person...As for Voldy and Snape... too bad for them...
Posted Oct 14, 2006 at 10:28 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
haha ya I agree it is possible that neville could die though since theres a chance that he's the chosen one (book 6) but you never know this site or others may say something about the upcomming book when they're only trying to make you think you know something about it so its tough to say
~cianna~
Posted Oct 15, 2006 at 11:19 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2307
Queen_Democrat says:
Personally, I think it's silly to think that Harry wouldn't die in the last book. I think that J. K. Rowling is definitely going to kill hi off so that no fan will even think of writing any sequels to the Harry Potter series. It will be a reminder that Harry belongs to her and not the fans.
Posted Nov 24, 2006 at 12:47 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
Hey!! Someone agree's with me that Harry will die thank you!
it just seems logical.
just think for a second, will harry live and become a wonderful wizard, will he become a teacher a writer, or will he live till he dies with a battle wound. Or will Harry die with lord voldemort, will he die by saving the world and so on so on. and I reminded before, in the 5th book the prophecy told HARRY "no one can live while the other survives" ~Cianna~
Posted Nov 25, 2006 at 12:47 AM EST
Gryffindor's Dark Lord
Points: 4430
Quidditch2008 says:
That is damn good news. I know I'm really late on this, but I'm trying to charge to 2400, L0L..
Posted Jan 7, 2007 at 3:33 AM EST
Gryffindor's Dark Lord
Points: 4430
Quidditch2008 says:
Eleanor: Basically, I just said it plain and simple: I'm pleased by the news. And I threw in that last part to hopefully get the required amount of characters to get a point... I'm trying to get to 2400 quickly so that I can get my member title! :D
Posted Jan 8, 2007 at 2:28 PM EST
Points: 2
whoooo says:
Ok. First of all I would like to mention that NEVILLE IS NOT THE CHOSEN ONE.
As a "lit expert" you should get your facts stright before trying to write anything.
Secondly, maybe Voldemort will die, maybe not, however, archetypally, HERMIONE will, if jkr knows what shes doing, as i do think she does. As Hermione is the helper, Harry has not done anything COMPLETELY on his own without the help of Hermione. In oreder ot complete his hero cycle, Harry will have to be on his own, and as Hermione IS a MAIN character, she will have to die. Ron, though a best friend, is NOT that much of a helper, though he has been loyal to Harry forthe most part.
Though Harry did go on his own during the forth book, he di not win that battle now did he? No, he did not. Therefore, sadly, Hermione must go, leaving Harry alone to his final battle.
Sirius and Dumbledore have both dies, she is slowly making him prepared for what lies ahead, none of us who knows.
yay me
-ROSEEE age 15
Posted Feb 3, 2007 at 1:20 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
Spirit-Hunter says:
Eleanor: Well im sorry before how I have not been reasonable, we all have ideas and we each think ours has a chance of being true, I just would not stop.
Whoooo: This site is not about getting facts straight, it's about discussing what we think is going to happen in the last book and what you suggest might be true but nobody really knows except the author that is why people made these sites so we can discuss.
I'm a writer my self but i dont see it to be my future, but as a writer i make fantasy books which everyone tells me are really interesting to read. so I make up crazy ideas for sequals on things so im sorry if what my suggestions fit your liking
Posted Feb 3, 2007 at 2:35 AM EST
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