...I can't even think about this question without tearing up.
There are, of course, the villains who died (Lord Voldemort, Bellatrix, Professor Quirrell, Nagini, The Basilisk, Igor Karkaroff, etc.), those we know of who died but had no connection to (The Bones, the Prewetts, etc.), the ghosts at the school (Moaning Myrtle, Nearly-Headless Nick), and those who meant so much to us that we sobbed while reading of their untimely demises:
-- Hedwig
-- Dobby
-- Sirius
-- Remus and Nymphadora
-- Professor Snape
-- Professor Dumbledore
-- Alastor Moody
-- Fred Weasley
-- Colin Creevey
Hedwig's death was symbolic of Harry's loss of innocence and entry into adulthood, according to Rowling. Sirius and Remus died as symbols of Harry's own lost father (he never had a father figure). Remus and Nymphadora also died because their deaths meant that their son would grow up, like Harry and Voldemort, without parents, and this would shape him in a way their lives never could (Rowling also points this out) -- despite the two orphans' similar backgrounds, they become very different people. (Dumbledore's speech on the choices we make that define us comes to mind)
Dobby died saving Harry. Colin's death was to show the horrors of war -- the death of innocents.
Dumbledore died because of the curse on his hand -- but he chose his death (by Snape's hand) to protect the innocence of Draco Malfoy. His death also spurred Harry into action to find the Horcruxes.
So this leaves us with three seemingly senseless deaths.
Alastor Moody, an Auror of great distinction, died because his cowardly partner whisked himself away. Alastor was part of the plan to get Harry safely to the Burrow after the charm over Privet Drive broke as Harry came of age.
Fred Weasley died fighting Death Eaters -- his twin could never produce a Patronus again, and while George did marry and have a child named Fred, I don't know if he ever fully recovered (does anyone?) from the loss of his brother.
Professor Snape died because Voldemort thought Snape was the owner of the Elder Wand. It was a senseless, senseless killing, perhaps the most senseless of the series. No one except Harry and Dumbledore knew the entire truth about Snape, and Voldemort didn't even realize how amazingly gifted in several branches of magic Snape was until Harry told him about the deception. Snape died unrecognized and unloved, the unsung hero of the entire saga.
So who would I choose? I feel it would be kinder to leave Professor Snape in the afterlife, and Moody as well. They were both broken and lonely and I wouldn't have them come back, even for a peaceful life.
So in the end, I'd choose Fred. Fred's death broke my heart perhaps more than any other death (beside Snape's) because he had a twin. Seeing half of you die would be the most traumatic experience I can imagine, and it was extremely difficult for the actors (Oliver, I think) to do. They could only do so many takes because he was really crying and couldn't handle doing more. Fred's death serves no purpose except to show you the horror of war and we already have that with Lavender being bitten by a werewolf, the Lupins and Creevey dying, and Snape dying. That's enough for me.
Here's to you, Fred.
No comments:
Post a Comment