Request for opinions (and reasons to justify them)

[Andrea]

No: HPFGUIDX 44741

--- Moonstruck <myphilosophy2001 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I'm of the opinion that Ron won't die -- or if it
> does, it will be at the end of the series. 
> I say that for two reasons: (a) JKR has set the stage
> in GoF for something serious to develop between Ron
> and Hermione -- plot-wise, it makes no sense to start
> such a seemingly important subplot only to abandon it
> in the next book by killing Ron, 

Ah, but think of poor Hermione, left behind just as she's starting to
realize the depth of her feelings for Ron and they've barely begun to
explore their relationship.  Think of the pathos!  You don't know how much
you'll miss someone until they're gone.  

> and (b) Ron hasn't
> come into his own yet -- JKR has given us many reasons
> to believe that Ron has the potential to become a
> great wizard, but to do so, he's going to have to
> emerge from the shadows of his brothers and Harry and
> Hermione and find confidence in himself. It's going to
> take more than one book for Ron to reach that level of
> independence, and I simply refuse to belive that JKR
> is going to kill Ron before he comes to peace with
> himself and realizes his true potential. 

Ah, but picture this.  Ron spends most of the book being overlooked as
always, Harry's faithful friend, Hermione's possible love (but she's too
involved in studying for her OWLS to spend much time with him).  The
sidekick, the backup, good ol' "always there" Ron.  When doom sweeps up on
them, as it always does, Ron is the one to recognize what's playing out,
with his strategist's mind.  Ron is the one who realizes that a sacrifice
has to be made to let the game advance.  For Harry to carry on like he has
to, someone *else* has to fall.  And so he sacrifices himself...and in
doing so, everyone finally realizes how much they'd taken him for granted,
how they'd never realized how important he was just to BE there.  Finally
everyone recognizes Ron for the wonder he is...but it's too late for poor
Ron to appreciate it. :~(

Partially devil's advocate there, but just pointing out how it's possible.
:)  As you said, the chess game in PS/SS is an *immense* bit of
foreshadowing.  Ron also was willing to put himself in danger to save
Harry in POA when facing down Sirius.  Add in the 13th person portent and
"we've taken what you'll greatly miss", and I have to conclude the worst. 
 I really think that Ron will end up sacrificing himself for Harry's sake,
as much as it pains me to admit it.  Personally, I also don't think it'll
come at Book 5.  I think it will be at the end of Book 6, possibly written
obliquely enough that we don't really know if he's dead or not until Book
7.  His death will then give Harry the final impetus for the Big Showdown
in Book 7.  I absolutely adore Ron and it will *kill* me to read that, but
I think it's written in the stars. 


Andrea

=====
"Reality is for people who lack imagination."

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