Let It Be Known in the END

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 78617

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "elizabeth1603" 
<elizabeth1603 at y...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboy_mn at y...> wrote:
> 

<heavily snipped>
> 
> We all have to admit to ourselves that Harry isn't real in real 
life. Why do you 
> want him not to be real in fantasy either?
> 
> Elli

Geoff:
None of our favourite book characters are real; that's what "fiction" 
means!

Frodo Baggins is not real. Jane Eyre is not real. Shylock is not 
real. They may be based in part on real people but they themselves 
are not intrinsically real.

That does not mean that we cannot treat them as real, to share in 
their experiences, to cheer for them, cry for them and hope against 
hope that things will work out for them.

To use the idea of a dream is a cop out. I remember how angry my wife 
got when the Dallas incident occurred.

I have my own "wishes" as to how HP will work out. In the event, it 
won't end the way I have wished but, if it does finish in a dream 
resolution, I shall feel that I have been the subject of a confidence 
trick to lure me through seven books to a disappointing conclusion. 
And, as someone pointed out recently, it would be a possible disaster 
to the younger readers of the books - for whom Harry was first 
introduced - as it would undermine the power of their imaginations 
which are such a valuable part of their development.

PS Please note that I am not posting from my usual email address as I 
am away from home over the weekend.