The sidekick doesn't always die.
Tim Haddock's trying to get all literary on me.
His claim that Ron Weasley's going to die because "all sidekicks die" is one of the worst arguments for a character dying of all the arguments that could be made, mostly because isn't true.
Sancho Panza. Samwise Gamgee. Dr. Watson. Robin. Han Solo. Barney Rubble -- all sidekicks, all alive at the end of the story or episode. Maybe one or two died of old age in someone's fan fiction, maybe someone wishes they were dead so they could see Princess Leia in a metal bikini, but the idea that ALL sidekicks must die is, well, wrong. Sidekicks are there for support, and to offer faith and encouragement to the hero. Sure, some are in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that totally sucks, but they don't ALL DIE.
Tim's other argument, that Ron has to die to move Harry forward on his journey, is also off the mark. Apparently, Dumbledore's death, the death of his parents, the death of his godfather, Sirius, his own near-death experiences, and those of his friends, not to mention all the other icky things other characters have done in the past and present in the name of evil haven't meant anything to this kid. He just wants to kiss girls, play sports and get in trouble.
*sigh*
No. Harry has been aware of his destiny since the very beginning, even if he didn't know what it all meant. Harry is ready now. Dumbledore's death did that in a way nothing else could. However, no one else is ready. Ron, the sidekick, is still aggravatingly self-centered. Everyone else must to step up for the hero to complete his journey.
It won't take another "important death" to light a fire under this kid, but more deaths will occur to get the others prepared for battle. If I were a bettin' woman (and I'm not, ask anyone), I'd put all my money on someone who's beloved in BIG way, as it would rally a school, a community.
I don't know who this Gabriel is, nor do I believe his claims that he knows the identies of the goners in the seventh and final book. So, I say this to my esteemed colleague: IGNORE HIM.
Comments
The death of the sidekick is more of a Western style, true. Not every sidekick dies, unless he is a cowboy of some sort. But the death of the sidekick goes back as far as the Trojan War and Shakespeare.
Sure, Sancho Panza, Dr. Watson and Robin manage to survive every story, but their heroes need no motivation to perform their tasks.
Don Quixote was plain crazy, or overly idealistic, however you want to read it. Sherlock Holmes was rarely in danger of ever dying himself. And Batman, well he had plenty of issues to keep him focused on fighting crime.
Han Solo does not belong in this argument. He is not a sidekick. In fact he has his own sidekick, Chewbacca. A sidekick can't have a sidekick. It doesn't work that way.
As for Harry, death has surrounded him from the time he was a baby. His closest family has been taken away from him. His father-figures, Sirius and Dumbledore, have also been killed. (Then again, I am not completely convinced Sirius is really dead).
Some of people closest to Harry have died, all because of Lord Voldemort. And still Harry has yet to muster the ability to kill anyone himself.
I believe Hermione has it in her to kill. Neville has shown signs of fighting back with deadly force. Harry has yet to show that kind of ability.
Maybe Ron's death will give him that motivation.
But being close to Harry is not healthy. It seems like anyone who gets too close to him ends up dying.
It makes sense that Ron is next.
Posted by: Tim | June 26, 2007 9:34 AM
So, what you're saying is, Harry needs to practice killing people? That isn't how it works. This isn't a sport.
And Harry has inflicted damage on people in the heat of anger. Let us not forget he ALMOST killed Draco by leveling him with a spell designed to tear him to shreds. He used a rather awful spell at one of his perceived mortal enemies. Granted, I'm not sure he knew what it would do, but he used it. And he TRIED to use the Avada Kedavra curse on Snape at the end of Book 6, but as it was explained by Snape and Bellatrix, you can't perform dark magic if you don't have it in you. He doesn't need to fight dark magic WITH dark magic, he needs to fight it with love. (cue "awwwwws")
As for Han Solo, I will concede that he isn't a sidekick in the truest sense, but you still made my point for me. Chewbacca is still alive at the end of the movies, too. (cue triumphant music)
Posted by: Sharon Kaplan | June 26, 2007 11:03 AM