For the love of Harry Potter!

[Butterbescotch]

What are your greatest fear then Tessie?

[Denysaputra]

I think it's really cool. so exciting when enjoyed with my friends

[Lola82]

I never thought of the Bogart... that would be interesting, but frightening too!! I think Rowling created such a cool concept with the bogart especially since it takes different shapes... it was so sad when we see Mrs. Weasley and the bogart in I think the 5th book?

I really liked the Thestrals.

[Teesie]

@Butterbescotch - Ummmm.......I don't really know. Maybe a spider. Cause I'm always scared I'm gonna find spiders in my house. Either that or maggots. Ick...*chills down spine* I can't stand maggots. *throws up a little in back of mouth*

[Lola82]

the discussion kinda died out... so, to jump start this bad boy i've got a question... many of us seemed quite saddened by Dobby's death, why do you think that is?

If you weren't saddened by it, please do let us know why! It's always fun to have some kind of two sided discussion, makes things more lively when it's not all one sided!

[ShipOfFools]

I think Malfoy was very brave at the end, but yeah, Snape was the one who was the bravest. I also have to agree with everyone.

[Butterbescotch]

the discussion kinda died out... so, to jump start this bad boy i've got a question... many of us seemed quite saddened by Dobby's death, why do you think that is?

If you weren't saddened by it, please do let us know why! It's always fun to have some kind of two sided discussion, makes things more lively when it's not all one sided!

I was but I didn't cried. The fact that anyone would die out of loyalty for his friends is saddening like Fred or George and Lupin and Tonks. I forgot the name.

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Change the thread title

[Lola82]

Although it is sad that people in the novel died out of loyalty for their friends, and the cause, but it seems that readers were more attached, or affected, by the deaths of Dobby and Fred but not as much as Tonks. All three were minor characters, but Tonks perhaps the most minor of all because she wasn't that predominant in the novels that she appears in.

I think I was more affected by Dobby's death is because he was so incredibly innocent. He was a good elf who didn't do anyone harm; his altruistic fatal act was out of pure love for Harry. Dobby was the second person to die to save Harry's life. I think it's interesting the way that Rowling did this because it shows the sadness and the horrific acts of war; everyone, including the innnocent, are not safe. This altruism adds to the theme of love and war, that maybe love doesn't always conquer but can win in other ways (does that make sense?!). Let me see if I can explain clearer. Love doesn't conquer because if love won, Dobby wouldn't have died. But, love wins in other ways because if Dobby didn't love Harry, he wouldn't have saved him; that way, love conquered. Clearer?

When I was reading the novel for the first time, and the "heartlessness" of Rowling to just kill off someone as innocent and kind as Dobby left me fearing for Harry and his friend's lives; I just didn't know who else she had the audacity to kill off. She was unbelievably ruthless.

[Kinihak 1998]

I think two characters in the story are equally brave, for accepting death and meeting it head on :
Harry,in the Deathly Hallows realises he might have to be killed , but though he's afraid, he doesn't flee.
Dumbledore, too dies in the Half Blood Prince but he knows he has to and isn't scared.


And also , Snape is also very brave to secretly serve Dumbledore though he would be murdered by Voldemort if he found out. It's a pity he dies in the end,because he is not actually one of the antagonists but a courageous (maybe one of the most courageous?) protagonist.

And though I don't think Hermione and Ron are as brave as them, I think they deserve a mention because they are brave enough to tag along with Harry despite the danger though no one forced them to.

[Gatsby'sGreenLight]

the discussion kinda died out... so, to jump start this bad boy i've got a question... many of us seemed quite saddened by Dobby's death, why do you think that is?

If you weren't saddened by it, please do let us know why! It's always fun to have some kind of two sided discussion, makes things more lively when it's not all one sided!

Sooo, don't hate me, but I wasn't upset to see Dobby's character go. I personally found him annoying and overused as a character. I totally get that he died innocently and without hesitation to save his friends and that is noble, but... He reminded me of JarJar from the first Star Wars (equally annoying).

From a literary standpoint, I was slightly disappointed that one of the other "main characters" didn't die in the end. Like our man Stephen King says - you must kill off your loves. As a fan, though, I'm sooo glad she didn't! I think Dumbledore was enough of a loss for me. I also understand that these books started out as young adult fiction and the death of one of the main three probably would have caused many a parent therapy bills. Fred's death definitely affected me the most as a mother because I can't imagine what it would feel like for Ms. Weasley to lose a son... my heart-breaks for her!!

If I could take out one part it would be the epilogue. All the names of who married who and what they named their kids, etc, was too much and too confusing. When the plot/conflict resolves itself, it is time to end the book, IMO.

I'm reading them all over again now in preparation for the final movie installment this summer. I can't wait!!!

[Jacob]

the discussion kinda died out... so, to jump start this bad boy i've got a question... many of us seemed quite saddened by Dobby's death, why do you think that is?

If you weren't saddened by it, please do let us know why! It's always fun to have some kind of two sided discussion, makes things more lively when it's not all one sided!

Sooo, don't hate me, but I wasn't upset to see Dobby's character go. I personally found him annoying and overused as a character. I totally get that he died innocently and without hesitation to save his friends and that is noble, but... He reminded me of JarJar from the first Star Wars (equally annoying).

From a literary standpoint, I was slightly disappointed that one of the other "main characters" didn't die in the end. Like our man Stephen King says - you must kill off your loves. As a fan, though, I'm sooo glad she didn't! I think Dumbledore was enough of a loss for me. I also understand that these books started out as young adult fiction and the death of one of the main three probably would have caused many a parent therapy bills. Fred's death definitely affected me the most as a mother because I can't imagine what it would feel like for Ms. Weasley to lose a son... my heart-breaks for her!!

If I could take out one part it would be the epilogue. All the names of who married who and what they named their kids, etc, was too much and too confusing. When the plot/conflict resolves itself, it is time to end the book, IMO.

I'm reading them all over again now in preparation for the final movie installment this summer. I can't wait!!!

That's a real take off from your usual high supportive comments... But I agree with you and Stephen King, I would kill off a main character at the end, or even in the book. It's a twist, but can be overused.

[Gatsby'sGreenLight]

^ Trust me, I am highly supportive of HP. I LOVE it!! Especially because it got a whole generation of kids and adults reading again. I just find it odd that the one character I didn't like, others liked so much. I guess that is one reason why Rowling's series is so popular - something for everyone.

[Evapohler]

My children and I were all saddened by Dobby's death, and I think more so than some of the other characters because he had been so brutally victimized for most of his life by the Malfoys to be saved for a brief time by Harry only to die again to save Harry's life.

[Butterbescotch]

I found this on goodreads.

Prompt: What if Harry turned out to be evil because of Voldemort's soul in him? (Consider the situation in the 7th Book)

In that case, I doubt he would reconcile with Voldemort since either of the two would want the throne. But if somehow Harry won, I doubt he will last long. He is a strong wizard but not as strong and clever from the other wizards and magicians. Hermione and Ron may not stop him but there will be others who will kill him

PS: Please forgive me for the unrealistic situation but I want to hear your opinions

[Lola82]

The fact that the novels mature with the characters and the "target" audience is very well structured. The writing style of the earlier novels are very appropriate for the intended reading age, which is great to engage youngsters to read. But, as the novels and characters mature, it's interesting to see how Rowling deals with the death of loved ones in the novel. I think for her, or any writer, it'd be difficult to justify the idea of killing off a central character. I think by killing off seemingly minor characters creates depth and layers for the main characters because we see the effects and toils it takes on the main characters, mostly Harry. With each loss he suffers, he becomes more heroic in his struggle against Voldemort which makes him more endearing and perhaps allows the reader to relate more.

With almost every death, it seems like Harry is losing a parental figure albeit Fred. It makes it more heartbreaking especially when Dumbledore dies because, one can debate, that he was the closest "father" figure he had left after Sirius.

Gatsby'sGreenLight

If I could take out one part it would be the epilogue. All the names of who married who and what they named their kids, etc, was too much and too confusing. When the plot/conflict resolves itself, it is time to end the book, IMO.

I totally get what you're saying. Like, in LOTR movies at the end, it was like, it's over. Let's wrap it up. But, I found it interesting that in the HP epilogue she HAD to state that it was 19years later. It makes you wonder, what happened in the 19 years to those who suffered and fought; the trauma and issues they all had to grapple with. It leads a lot of open ended ideas and conjecture. But, what perhaps could be more important is the fact that after it all, despite whatever struggles Harry had to deal with after the "war" he got what he wanted; acceptance, love and most importantly the thing he has been deprived of, a family and a sense of home. He has created his own family and home,. He's normal now, or as normal as he can be. But, normal nonetheless. I don't know. I guess after 7 novels and 8 movies, what would the audience be left with if it just ended at the death of Voldemort? But, I get where you're coming from.