Disarming spell/ Character's choices

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 185454

Alla:
> So I honestly feel that Aaang chose easier way than Harry did at
the
> end, IMO of course.  <SNIP>
Magpie:
I feel the opposite. Not in terms of which character made the easier
choice, but which writer. The Avatar choice didn't work for many
people, but it did show the hero actually finding a way around
killing when he said he wasn't a killer. Having the killer kill
himself after the hero shows mercy is a standard Hollywood way around
it. Which doesn't mean it doesn't work, but it's a bit of a cheat
which lets the hero retain the position of not being a killer and get
the benefits of it anyway. And Harry knew it would happen, so the
only thing he was really giving up was the pleasure of saying "Avada
Kedavra" himself.

Unless I'm totally forgetting how DH ends.


Alla:

I was talking about character's choice only, character who does not 
know that he is in the book, so I was for this argument disregarding 
the writer's choice. I just feel that for Aaang NOT to kill the 
Firelord was much easier than for Harry to kill Voldemort.  Just 
because I feel that Aaang never really wanted to kill anybody and 
Harry would not have minded at all to do away with Voldemort, and 
Harry went with something that he chose to change within himself. 
Ugh, I am not explaining this well.

But I was wondering about easier choice for the writer. I have no 
doubt that JKR wanted Voldemort's dead and sure, I agree that she 
probably wanted  for Harry not to have his hands dirty too. However, 
are we sure we know that Harry absolutely knew that if he says 
Expeliarmus, Voldemort will end up dead? I mean, to me it is again a 
question of degree, it again touches upon why Harry said "try for 
some remorse".  Was he just saying it for the sake of saying it? Of 
course as I mentioned in chapter discussion, I cannot be sure one way 
or another. But for some reason I am just having difficulty buying 
that he said it just because it sounded good, you know?

It seems to me that to say it, he has to believe at least somewhat, 
that Voldemort may take his suggestion to heart?  So, if for the sake 
of the argument we assume that Harry meant what he said, are we sure 
that Harry knew with certainty if he says Expeliarmus, Voldemort will 
be dead?

I am not sure at all. I am inclined to believe that after chat with 
Dumbledore, Harry decided to give Voldemort a chance to repent. Now, 
if you ask me whether it makes sense to me personally,  the 
assumption that Harry decided to give Voldemort a chance to repent? 
No, not, really, but I am not Harry.   And I suppose that if Harry 
supposed to be Christ like figure at the end, I guess it does make 
sense to me for Harry's character.

Sorry, I know I am rambling.

I am just saying that while I am pretty sure that JKR wanted 
Voldemort dead, to me it is does not translates into easier choice 
for Harry  and I would say does not necessarily translate into easier 
choice  for the writer either.

I mean, I do not know, to me it just so much more noble to let the 
villain live than to kill him.  

JMO,

Alla