Novel Ink: CBA Discussion | Character Deaths

CBA Discussion | Character Deaths

Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2014 4:30 AM

I’m sure that we’ve all been in that place where we have followed a series for a while and fell in love with the characters only to have them die in the end. And while I know that some people get really upset when this happens, usually it doesn’t bother me. I mean, yeah I will probably cry my eyes out and curse the world for a while but when I calm down enough to think about it, if the way a character dies fits with their personality, then I usually understand why the author went there.

For example, in one of my favorite series, that I had followed since it first came out a few years ago, the main character died at the end of the final book and from what I’ve seen on Twitter, a lot of people were upset about it and I believe the author even got threatened. But once I stopped crying and calmed down enough to think about the ending, I got it. This death fit with the personality of that character because this character was the type that would sacrifice their self in order to save the people that they loved. So, at the end when it came down to them or someone that they loved, they done exactly what I would have expected of them and exactly the thing that stayed true to their personality.

Don’t get me wrong, I HATE when one of my favorite character dies just as much as the next person and if I could have every one of them live happily ever after, I would. But I think that sometimes authors don’t have a choice but to kill off certain characters, especially if it stays true to the personality of that character. Katniss in The Hunger Games is a perfect example, yes I know that she didn’t die in the end but if she would have I would have understood because she has the type of persona that she sacrifices herself in order to protect those she cares about, we saw that multiple times throughout the series, I mean she sacrifices herself for Prim in the first book thinking that she would die in the games.

To me, if a character dies saving someone else, then their death means something. And if an author can break my heart in two, then I think that means they done a wonderful job.

TALK TO ME

What do you think about character deaths?

Comments (8)

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tonyaleeh 50p · 581 weeks ago

I LOVE it when an author goes and kills someone off. It doesn't happen often, which I think it should. Does it make me mad? Sure. I am invested and don't WANT them to die. But I can think of hundreds of situations where the MC lived and should have died LOL

Overall, while yes they will upset me, I don't mind them at all. I actually love it LOL
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Christy · 581 weeks ago

They don't bother me either! Yes, I will cry for a while but I get it, you know?
My recent post CBA Discussion | Character Deaths

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jaimelester 53p · 581 weeks ago

I agree! Like you, I get angry and cry and sad and depressed. But, I get it. If it had happened another way, it would not have been true to the story. If a character is completely selfless in every book, but in the end saves herself instead of someone else, that ruins the whole series. The author changed her character wholly in one paragraph. That makes me more angry than the death of a beloved MC. It happens. It is a part of life. It sucks, but I get it. The one death that does tick me off though, and always will, is the death of animals from anything other than old age. I can't take it. It makes me ridiculously angry. Back to the point at hand though, I am in 100% agreement with you. Besides, it is the authors story, their character. They have the right to do with them what they believe is right. How can I fault them for that?

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Christy @ Novel Ink 76p · 581 weeks ago

I agree! As long as it stays true to that character, I get it. Thanks for stopping by!

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Siiri · 581 weeks ago

I agree on this, though.. I still hate it. I haven't read the book you mentioned (well, it's obvious if you are familiar with the series and the hype lol), but I do know what happens. I have a paperback and I went to the very end and read the final chapters because I needed to know it was not HIM. I get why she died though and I don't mind, I'm just not interested in reading that book with an ending like that. I understand, I just, don't want to put myself through something like that even though I know he is safe. Anyhow, one of my favorite characters died at the end of Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) and he was the favorite among the fandom so safe to say I'm still pissed about that. I loved him to pieces and LOL it's funny because I actually don't get why he had to die other than for the heroine not to make a choice between him and the other guy (who would have won anyway). Like wtf. Anyhow, I agree with you on Katniss as well. She would have made herself a martyr every time.
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Christy @ Novel Ink 76p · 581 weeks ago

Yeah, I know what you mean. I saw on Twitter that it was HIM and I freaked out. I would be pissed to if one of my favorite characters died for no reason other than the heroine not having to choose! Thanks for stopping by, Siiri!
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lissiet 69p · 581 weeks ago

The Divergent series is one where I agreed with the ending. I think it summed up the characters and kept personalities complete.
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flipthatpage 24p · 580 weeks ago

AMEN TO THIS POST! I never really like deaths especially if it's the death of a favorite, but I always grow to accept them if they happened for a greater cause, and with meaning. If it was a useless death, it will seem like some plot device to me, which would be totally unforgivable! Haha! Thank goodness I have never really been that unfortunate XD Great post, Christy! <3