How do you react to the protagonist's death?

Depends on the circumstances. For example:

* Do I like the character?
* Does his death add to the story?
* Are they killing the character off just because they can?

Only one or two examples there but you see the general idea. I really like the idea that the character can be killed off, but only if I think it suits the story. Anything 'cliche' is to be avoided.

 

Well, i was hoping to kill off a main character in my story (See my signature) and i was wondering the same thing...
But, it really does depend if you liekd the character or not

 

as long as there is a reason for the characters death, like its a catalyst for something else. ie eddard stark being jailed/executed was a catalyst for war

 

It sounds like you should combine your sad and happy endings. Think of how much sadder it will be if he croaks during the parade. It's the contrast between happy and sad that makes happy = happy and sad = sad, which is why I suggest this. Besides, don't you want to teach people not to hurt themselves with drugs?

My ideal ending is one where a pharmaceutical rep suddenly shows up and throws government approved drugs into all the characters' mouths and they all die because it turns out those drugs aren't safe after all. Then the pharmaceutical company bribes their way out of prison and bribes their way into continuing to sell the fatal drug. And I don't care whether this ending comes out of ****ing nowhere.

 

Hi HT,

He dies during the parade in his honour? Now that would be funny. Have to say I never thought of it, and its a bit late now that the books published, but it's still funny. As for the drug use, I wasn't talking about regulation feel good drugs, but rather ones to help keep him awake for the long hours for the decade as he planned his mission, and more to keep him thinking clearly as he designed his ship. There's no anti or pro drug message here. It's purely about the struggle. The whole point was that he sacrificed his entire life to that one purpose, to find out what happened to his family. That was why it would have been a good and noble ending if he'd died having suceeded in finding them alive and rescued them. But it would have also been too painful.

Cheers, Greg.

 

Yup yup, no arguments from me there - I wasn't saying I didn't like Shakespeare, I freaking LOVE it, and have been to see dozens of plays in Stratford and London. I've seen King Lear about 3 times, once with Ian McKellen which I just do not have enough superlatives to describe how superb it was. It's my favourite play, except for perhaps Titus Andronicus - another tragedy full of senseless deaths, albeit a much more brutal ones.

I was just saying that senseless death = tragedy. if you're looking for bitter sweet, you have to put some positive spin on it, which means the death has to serve some purpose.

 

DUDE?!??! What is it with everyone figgin well spoiling the endings of novels I haven't read/movies I haven't watched yet??? Put ***SPOILER*** on your post or something you sadistic sods!!!

 

I think that if you hint at his death through the entire book, or make it known, it may be less harsh on the reader when he eventually dies otherwise it may just seem a little out of the blue.

 

Ah, but what if the major problem coincides to a real world problem and the character dies leaving the problem up to the reader in the real world to be solved?

 

It's just a very sad thing for me. I would like the protag to live happily ever after...following a great adventure.

 

If you wish to kill of your protagnist, than aim to be sure if this is the right reason. As people have stated before me, this is your main character who you have developed from beginning, middle and end. Its important you know that this is the right decision, and that it fulfills the ending to your book. Do not kill of your main character just for the sake of it, unless you wish to create a shocking response. Sometimes killing off a MC is a bad decision and completely kills the rest of your book simply because of the ending. IMO ending is the important, so make sure killing off your MC is the right decision.

 

when done right, i love when the protagonist dies. but i've only seen it done right ( in my opinion) once or twice, no more.