The Deaths of Beloved Characters, and related subjects

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 23633

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Eric Oppen" <oppen at c...> wrote:

> One thing that kind of bothered me about the death of Cedric Diggory 
in GoF was that it didn't have the impact on me that the death of a 
character we'd gotten to know well through the first three books would 
have had.>

I understand what you mean, Eric, but I think that was JKR's point.  
Let me try and explain.

First of all, I can't take any death lightly (I'm referring to HP 
right now), especially when I think about the fact that this book is 
read by so many kids, whether or not JKR intended for that to happen.

Second, I think Cedric's death was set up to be as tragic as it 
possibly could (and it will get worse, but I'll explain that in a 
bit).  I remember writing about this when I first joined HPFGU (way 
back in February!).  Cedric is handsome.  His parents dote on him 
(remember Amos Diggory talking about Cedric telling Quidditchh stories 
to his grandchildren?).  He probably did well in his classes (as his 
prefect status hints at)  He is clearly well liked not only by his 
Housemates but the other Houses as well.  He is popular with the girls 
(just ask Cho).  He was always nice to Harry.  He was also a good kid 
who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cedric didn't even 
have a minute to defend himself or to fight in any way.  He was 
completely innocent.

Remember, Voldemort here is just coming back into power.  He may not 
know who Harry's friends are, or who is an easier target than others.  
What we do know is that the lives of others mean nothing to him.  
Cedric's death is not an act of vengeance or defense.  It is simply 
killing to kill - "Kill the spare".  Cedric was hardly seen as a 
person to Voldemort.  He was just a pebble in the path to be kicked to 
the side.  I thought that was pretty chilling.

I do not know Neville's future, but JKR did mention in an interview 
that other characters, more beloved, will die.   When that happens, 
there may be more reasons why.  Voldemort may go for Ron knowing the 
effect Ron's death will have on Harry.  Sirius may die in the midst of 
a plan gone wrong, fighting valiantly to save Harry and his friends.  
Dumbledore's age may prevent him from seeing Harry through book 7.  I 
understand that more of us reading those potential scenes will be 
upset, but that doesn't make their deaths *more* tragic - just more 
understandable.  In fact, Cedric's death is so tragic because of the 
randomness of it, and his death is just the start.  

That's what I think, anyway.

--jenny from ravenclaw, who doesn't want anyone to die in HP 
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