Harry: his wealth, his scar, his prodigious talents

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 17820

A few random thoughts, as Harry Fortnight draws to a close:

HARRY AND MONEY

This is referring back to a previous thread, but I forgot to post this at
the time.

I think it's likely that Harry doesn't realise the extent of his wealth and
that the thought of purchasing anything valuable is (or was) alien to him.
Most of the valuable or valued things he owns were given to him - the
Invisibility Cloak (Jamesokay, inherited), the Firebolt (Sirius), Hedwig
(Hagrid), The Sneakoscope (Ron), The Marauder's Map (The Twins).  I think
JKR uses this to illustrate the fact that, although Harry has money, he
places most value on the things that were given to him.


HARRY'S SCAR (AND HIS GLASSES)

Although it is a curse scar, symbolic of Voldemorts downfall and making
Harry easily identifiable, the lightning bolt scar is a facial disfigurement
that could be a source of embarrassment.  Its interesting that, in this
story, it marks Harry out as different, but different in a positive way (the
scar means hes the famous boy who defeated Voldemort) and not so much in a
negative way (the scar is a facial disfigurement).  We often see Harrys
embarrassment at being singled out, and he does attempt to hide the scar
under his fringe, but it is, nevertheless, a symbol of strength and
protection.  Leaving aside the magical talent, I imagine that a child with
facial scarring might be helped through feeling some affinity with Harry
Potter.

The same positive imagery goes for Harrys glasses.  How many of us who
needed glasses as a child can remember the first day at school wearing them?
I can, vividly.  My friend Andrew told everyone I was a new boy, because he
knew I was feeling so self-conscious.  I remember that protective gesture
too.   I did look a shoot in those chunky, 1970s Joe 90 specs though<g>


HARRY'S PRODIGIOUS TALENTS

Something that occurs to me, when thinking about Harrys exceptional
talents, is a possible parallel with autism.  In a minority of autistics
(known as autistic savants) one or two talents are prodigious but there
is, otherwise, some lack or social withdrawal.  It would be stretching
credulity to suggest that Harry is autistic, but I think there is evidence
that he is often withdrawn, distant, obliviousMight some sort of distance
from the outside world have immured Harry from his cruel treatment at The
Dursleys?

Pondering on this, and trawling through some websites on autism, I found
this touching poem that Id like to share:
http://www.gigglepotz.com/autstar.htm

Neil

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