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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: 1303
PotterGirlThru&Thru says:
I agree with the professor for the most part of his guesses, I think he is wrong only in saying that Neville is the Chosen One... DD explained this to Harry: Voldemort chose him instead of Neville, and this makes Harry the one the prophecy talks about.
But I agree that JKR is very fond of Harry, and she won't kill himn off...
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 12:48 PM EST
Squib
Points: 175
Kreacher_elf says:
Yeah, I have to agree with him. Imagine what would happen if Harry died... He's essentially the "symbol of hope" for the world. An orphan who had a horrible upbringing can rise up and defeat the most powerful dark wizard ever to live. If Harry dies, people will be crushed... especially those who truly look up to and relate to Harry.
YES, these are her books, and YES, it's her choice who lives... but realistically, Professor Krasner has a good point; she doesn't have a choice when it comes to Harry.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 12:48 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
What a load....
He is an Expert. Just because he is a selfproclamed expert, dosent make him Yoda.
It is simply up to JKR.
Though i hope that Harry survives.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 12:55 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 328
*HERMI0NE* says:
Wow. I really hope this guy's right. I would die if Harry dies. That would end all hope for a follow-up book....even though it's highly unlikely.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 12:59 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 331
Oliver_Wood_is_my_idol says:
Stupid professor...he doesn't know any more than the rest of us on the topic!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
I really hope that Krasner is right in saying it won't be Harry, I suspect that it won't because they're really children's books and Harry is the main character, after all the books are all named "Harry Potter and....something" So I don't think she would kill off her fav. character, but one does never know really right?
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 993
danradcliffelover says:
I'm not sure about you guys, but I can definitely sleep well tonight. A little bit of reassurance goes a long way. Yet, there is a feeling in me that says harry's death isn't completely ruled out, especially not relying only on the fact that JKR isn't sick of harry. Good can triumph over evil, even in the case of harry's death But anyway... I would find it even more interesting if Harry does die because she would have mislead not only 60% of the readers who voted, but also a literature expert. Congrats to JKR, for making us all think! =)
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:09 PM EST
Insufferable Know-it-all
Points: 5042
Happy Hedwig says:
I'm not sure if I can say I believe this expert. J.K. Rowling has been known to pull some amazing twists. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if she killed off Harry and let Voldemort take over the Wizarding World. Just because J.K. cares about Harry doesn't mean she won't get rid of him... Look what happened to Sirius? I guess we won't know till the book comes out! I really hope she doesn't kill him though!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:12 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 303
Draco'sGirl2121 says:
Wow all the deaths. I can't even imagine who is going to die. But I do think that Voldemort will die because the prophy said one or the other has to die. So they both can't die and good always wins. I also think that a Weasley is going to die but i'm not quite sure which one. maybe ginny or ron or one of the twins. I also have this feeling that Draco(even though I love him) will die, because he didn't do that task that Lord Voldemort told him to do. And finally I think that Snape is going to die either because he has to or because Harry is going to kill him for what he has done to Dumbledor.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:12 PM EST
Queen of the Yarn Ball
Points: 3829
red&gold says:
I hope he does... It would be nice, but I don't buy his logic... it doesn't always work that way... She is going to write what she wants to write and that is that. Good usually wins, but that doesn't mean there is not a sacrifice.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:15 PM EST
Squib
Points: 184
Carlie04 says:
I think this expert does have a point. I would actually be thoroughly disappointed if Harry died. To me it just wouldn't seem right. I've heard that Rowling's intent for possibly killing Harry off is to stop future writers from continuing her story, but it could still happen; using Doyle as an example, Sherlock Holmes was brought back to life by someone else after Doyle died, so I don't think that excuse would work for her. But, although I would be miffed, they are Rowling's characters, so she may do with them whatever she pleases, even if it means creating disappointed and heart-broken fans.
I think that at least one evil character will die in book 7, and I also agree that Snape will most likely die, even though I, too believe that he is not evil. As for other characters, I honestly am not sure, but I don't care to know or worry myself over it. Rowling does a good job of leaving fans in the dark about these things, but I like not having a clue; it gives me something to really look forward to when I finally read the book. If I were Rowling, I wouldn't reveal anything more about the book and just let everyone find out next Summer. I would think the supsence would make the book even more exciting.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:15 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
I don't think Harry will die, but after this statement, I could see Jo sticking it to them. He he he. Nah. I think Krasner's predictions are pretty close to my own... except, I am not sure I believe that Neville is the chosen one... he's was the potential chosen one, but LV went with HP instead.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:15 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
Adriana Apelido says:
I agree that Harry won't die. I'm not sure if Voldemort will die though, because I don't think Harry truly has it in him to kill someone. I don't think harry could even kill Snape and Snape "killed" Dumbledore. I don't think Snape will die, but if ihe were then it would probably be sacrifice or something along those lines. All of this is really exciting tough!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
Well I hope he is right and Harry dosen't die. I agree Harry is JK Rowlings character and not ours, no matter how much we all love Harry.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:24 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1122
PhoenixPatronus2 says:
It's nice that this expert has magical knowledge of what JKR is going to do...not. I'd be much more inclinded to trust our theories than some ivory tower professor. If Jo kills off Harry or doesn't kill off Harry it will be for whatever her own reasons are and will have nothing to do with what anyone else says. She killed off Sirius, she killed off (or appeared to kill off depending on your view) Dumbledore, if she thinks she needs to kill Harry for whatever reason nothing anyone says will change that. Let them make their predictions, I'll stick to mine and the people who don't claim to be "experts" just because they are professors.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:27 PM EST
Harry's Soul-Mate
Points: 3337
Lea says:
Yeah, right... I wouldn't count on any expert's opinion, Jo is unpredictable! *sigh*
Please, Mrs.Rowling, say he won't die!!!!!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:27 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1104
Ravenclaw Tower Dude says:
I think thats an awefully stated theory. Especially the last line about Neville being the Chosen one. We were clearly told by Dumbledore that HARRY is the chosen one because he was Marked as Voldemort's equal. And as to whether Harry will live or die, thats her choice and I think we should all stop having a heart attack over the subject. And another thought: Neville most likly will not die, JKR has stated that a student will become a teacher at Hogwarts, and that will be most likely Neville. We have seen him progress from nothing to an aptitude in Herbology. But I think this guy's opinions are a little hard headed. But thats just my oppinion.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:30 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
MaeMuffin[DOT] says:
*yay*
Let's just cross our fingers and hope. If Harry does die I don't think I'll ever be able to open a Harry Potter book ever again.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 726
Turtle on Speed says:
I agree with this guy. I don't think Rowling would kill off Harry. What would be the point of writing a whole seven novels about him just to have him be another one of the lot that dies in this story?
Plus, if you look at it from a publicity standpoint, it would be an incredibly stupid thing to do to kill off Harry. Does anyone honestly think that people are going to read her future novels/series if she ends up just killing Harry and letting all the fans down.
So no, she won't kill Harry because Rowling is much smarter than that...
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:33 PM EST
Witch
Points: 695
LunaLove#1 says:
Hey, anyone can hope, can't they? That's the professor's opinion, which I would like to believe.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:40 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
I don't want Neville to die and I certainly don't want Harry to die. I just hope that if Jo sees this that she doesn't get angry and kill Harry just to prove this guy wrong and all the others saying the same thing.
I really don't think she will kill Harry but I am not so sure about Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville. Even with this looming I am still looking forward to the book.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 695
LunaLove#1 says:
Maybe if we all believe Harry won't die, it will come true. I just want to add that I'm happy about Mugglepost moving to Google.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:44 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1585
BB_Sectumsempra says:
I really do not know if Harry will die. I think J.K Rowling will have to come up with some completely new ending that has not been used before, that would be the best.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:44 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
I've been saying that for months...
Harry is JK's baby, she cares too much about him, and she can't kill him...it would be like killing one of her own kids!
Some expert just repeating what I've been saying for ever...
N
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 673
Rupert's Fangirl says:
I agree. Harry, Ron, Hermione and probably Ginny are NOT going to die. It's painfully obvious so I don't know why anyone is stressing over them. I disagree about Neville being the real chosen one. The chosen one is called "Chosen" for a reason and Voldemort "Chose" Harry. Neville will probably just help.
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:55 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
sadlyamuggle says:
I still don't know if she will kill Harry off or not but Neville is definitely NOT the chosen one!
Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 1:55 PM EST
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