Chapter 32 Summary - Flesh, Bone, and Blood

[Justin Raines]

No: HPFGUIDX 13223

2. Were you upset by Cedric's death?  Was it gratuitous or vital to 
the plot
and / or Lord Voldemort's character development?


I was upset by Cedric's Death.  He was a fair, kind and good-natured 
person.  He was always kind to Harry.  In POA, for instance, after 
Harry passed out because of the Dementors and Gryffindor lost the 
Quidditch match as a result, Cedric wanted to to have a rematch.  In 
GOF, Harry and Cedric helped each of the tasks.  I believe that their 
experience at the end of the maze would probably have made them good 
friends, if Cedric wouldn't have been killed.  

I also think that Cedric's death was gratuitous for Voldemort's 
character development.  It seemed to me to do little to further the 
story except to reiterate what everyone already knows, that Voldemort 
is a heartless killer.  Think of what he said when he wanted Cedric 
killed...he said, "kill the spare."  Cedric didn't matter to him one 
way or the other, so it was easier just to kill him.

I do, however, believe that Cedric's death was vital to the story.  
Chapter 32 in general gave the story a darker and more sinister 
tone.  It was necessary for JKR to have an innocent, minor character 
to die to set what I believe will be the tone for the next book.