Harry's lack of consideration . . .

[Steve Vander Ark]

No: HPFGUIDX 3026

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, DrMM <drmm at f...> wrote:
> As I feel like being controversial today . . .
> 
> One of the problems I have with Harry's character is the lack of 
> consideration he gives to others, even those who are his friends> I 
still think Harry's a good kid.  He's just a bit . . . selfish.  He 
never 
> seems to consider anyone else's POV but his own

As the father of a 12-year-old and teacher of middle school kids 
(ages 11-14), I can say that Harry's attitudes and reactions are 
pretty dead on for kids that age. They are incredibly self-centered 
and can be numbingly insensitive. At the same time, they can be 
fervent about something that stikes a nerve (c.f. Hermione and the 
house elves). I think JKR is deftly drawing Harry's character typical 
of his age. Consider also that Harry's package includes an 
emotionally abusive upbringing, one that has isolated him from more 
tender feelings and taught him to internalize everything and trust no 
one. Notice that he doesn't tell the adults around him anything he 
doesn't have to, even though we all want to scream at him to just 
TELL SOMEONE, for pity's sake! And notice that he almost never cries, 
even in frightful circumstances that would make ANYONE cry, you'd 
think. Heck, I cry when I just READ about some of the things he goes 
through. Like when his mom and dad appeared from the wand? And when 
Hagrid gave him that photo album? I was a sniveling mess, I admit it. 
Even the second and third time I read it.

Steve "Sensitive Guy" Vander Ark
The Harry Potter Lexicon
http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon