Discussion Question #35: Can Harry cast an unforgivable?

[gioiamia]

Here's another one to occupy our minds:

Does a person have to be filled with bitterness and hate in order to cast an unforgivable?

If so, does that mean Harry is or is not capable of casting an unforgivable curse such as Avada Kedavra?  If not, how will he destroy Voldemort?

If someone has to truly wish murder or torturous agony on their victim in

Comments

[cookie2697]

I don't think Harry's capable of casting an unforgivable. But that's just me. I think there's going to have to be some other way for him to do away with Voldemort. I just wonder what it is? Aside from the fact that I don't think Harry's heart will allow him to AK anyone, I also think it's too obvious of an out in the end. Though I suppose it brings things full circle - Voldemort AKed Harry and failed...now it's time for Harry to AK Voldemort and succeed? I dunno...could go either way I suppose.

[gioiamia]

I hadn't really thought of it, but you're right - it would be bringing things rather full-circle. All the more so if Voldemort is killed at a moment when his followers are abandoning him, as opposed to Harry who lived because his mother stood in front of him.

I still think your original hunch is right, though, that Harry probably won't be able to cast the curse.

[rhetoretician]

Hi Joia,

Three possibilities. Either (1) Harry will have sufficient hatred and desire to destroy in order to kill Voldemort, (2) there are other lethal curses (blasting, cutting, etc.) that will work as well, (3) death per se isn't what Harry needs to do to him.

[gioiamia]

Oh, I love #3 as an option! It brings to mind Dumbledore's statement at the end of OotP. What was it he said? Something like, "Your problem, Tom, is that you've failed to realize that there are some things worse than death."

[muffinkath7]

Just a head's up...I haven't read any spoilers. I'm just speccing.

I really don't think it's going to be Harry who kills Voldemort. I just don't, so it won't matter anyway. Having seen Order of the Phoenix just hier, it is very clear that the prophecy doesn't say that he has to KILL Voldemort,just that one of them has to die. I just don't see Rowling having Harry actually kill someone, even if it is Voldy.

[gioiamia]

The thing is, the prophecy DOES say that one of them must kill the other. The movie left that line out, though it was clarified in the conversation with Dumbledore and Harry afterwards.

The exact wording of the prophecy is:

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...

Whenever she is questioned on the wording, JKR has replied [paraphrasing]: "Both Professor Trelawney and I were very careful in choosing exactly the words we intended."

Fans have debated whether or not "vanquish" means he has to kill Voldemort, but I don't see any way to debate that line, "Either must die at the hand of the other." Unfortunately.

[muffinkath7]

Of course, doesn't mean he has to kill him directly...he can be indirectly responsible.

[gioiamia]

Do you think so? For Harry's sake, I would hope so. But that line "at the hand" seems to me it has to be Harry who directly kills him.

Ugh, what a thing to dump on a kid's shoulders!