I don't think that Harry will die

[Pam Rosen]

No: HPFGUIDX 160089

Cat writes...
>
>   How beautifully eloquent! Harry = Hope. I totally agree Hope can
not die.
>   After everything he has been through, all dangers and sorrows,
he has never given up. He has earned and deserves a long and happy
life!
>
>   If, per chance, Harry does die, grief would envelope the world,
just as if a non-literary icon had died. Remember the world-wide
grief when Princess Diana died? Well, I believe  that the impact
would be greater. I know that I would be devastated!  Then the cry
of outrage would be deafening, I am afraid that JKR would have to
leave the planet.
>
>   Long Live Harry!


Pam:
Though I am a little afraid to post now because it seems I always
manage to do things incorrectly, I have to try it one time and hope
I don't get scolded.

I was just at a Scholastic Book Faire at my son's school last night,
and I was startled to see just how much real estate Harry Potter
books and merchandise took up.  That made me wonder--how many kids
would START reading Harry Potter as they grew old enough to begin
them, if they knew that several thousand pages of reading would only
end in Harry's death? (And kids do like to tell each other what
happens at the end of a book or movie!)  How many parents would
recommend the books to their children?  If JKR kills off Harry,
could she also be killing off the entire Harry Potter legacy for
future generations of readers?  Would she do that? After almost
single-handedly rejuvinating childhood reading?

I have the same sense about Harry's decision to go back to Hogwarts,
and the theory that Harry will somehow sacrifice his life and be
reunited with loved ones he's lost.  What kind of message does that
send to younger readers?  That it's okay to drop out of school? (I
was somewhat disappointed in her decision to allow the Weasley Twins
to drop out, too.) That suicide is okay because you'll be happy in
the afterlife?  I think, storyline aside, that JKR is simply too
responsible for that. She must be aware of the kind of influence
these books have, and that she has a tremendous opportunity to send
kids off in the right direction.  I hope she takes it.

Pam