If you could wave a magic wand and change the plot of just one novel, short story, play, poem, movie, TV special, TV series episode, radio drama, or other fictional work so that just one character who died in it doesn't, which one death would it be?

Sydney Carton?

Anna Karenina?

Bambi's mother?

I'd like to say Sal Tessio's hit, for old time's sake but sorry, can't do it Sally.

So I guess the fictional whack I'd unwhack would have to be the very first one.

Abel.

Unexpected and way cool answer on two counts (pace JV-12 et al.)

Congrats.

Actually, S, if I were allowed to play, which I'm not, the only two ways I could one up you would be:

Sandalphon

or

Adam Morgan's wife

Damn - that's also excellent.

I was thinking more along the lines of answers that would reveal something about the posters posting them ... but then again ... maybe that is what's happening.

Gus McCrea

Sophie's daughter Eva, in Sophie's Choice.

McCrae - but point taken,

That's the kind of answer I had in mind. Says a lot about you (no slam intended.)

Oh lady, you touched a nerve there. I have dreams about being in that kind of impossible situation with absolutely no way out.

When I read your title, the first thing I thought of was Bambi's mother. Wow. In a more serious note, I would say that I was devastated when the guy said something like...

Its a far, far greater thing that I do than I have ever done before.....

Confederate Railroad apparently agreed. Chorus:

She never cried when Old Yeller died
She wasn't washed in the blood of the lamb
She never stood up for the Star Spangled Banner
And she wasn't a John Wayne fan
Her baby blue eyes had the warning signs
That woman was bad to the bone
She never cried when Old Yeller died
So do you think I'll cry when she's gone

So desperate I answered an ad in the personals
Hoping to find me a date
A good lookin' non smokin' full figured leo
Was looking to find her a mate
We hit it off we got it on my love was growing so strong
Then I started seeing a side of that woman
I should have seen all along

Chorus

I can't believe I just didn't see
The writing there on the wall
Listening to those Barry Mannilow records
Was just one of her character flaws
Sometimes she was rude unnaturally crude
But this good old boy let it pass
But when she cussed in front of my mama
I told she could kiss my

Chorus

She never cried when Old Yeller died
And I ain't gonna cry when she's gone

That's pretty odd, Woolley, cause not only did you think B's mother (which obviously occurred to me), but you also thought of ol' Sydney (who obviously occurred to me also.)

Here's a post you might enjoy -

http://www.seablogger.com/

(third one down at the moment .... "Sea ....")

Alan is an old web-friend of mine and his blog on his own dying is very compelling in its own way.

Well, now i like you even more...I will check it out..