[HPforGrownups] Harry: his wealth, his scar, his prodigious talents

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 17832

Neil wrote:



>A few random thoughts, as Harry Fortnight draws to a close:
<snip >
>
>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.

Interesting how the gifts reflect the givers - I wonder what this says about 
James...but Hagrid gives him a way of keeping in touch with his friends, 
even at the Dursleys, Sirius gives him something that allows his talent to 
shine - and would facilitate a quick getaway <g>, Ron's gift is suspicion, 
but then it probably doesn't work anyway, Fred and George give him an aid to 
rule-breaking - and truth-finding...

>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.
Yes, I could see that.  We are told it's the one thing about his appearance 
that Harry likes.
>
>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>
>
Agree again.  I never thought about it before, but the Dursley's must have 
got him the glasses - and they'd probably pick the worst-looking, cheap pair 
they could find!

>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
>
>________________________________________
>
>Flying Ford Anglia
>Mechanimagus Moderator
>
>"The cat's ginger fur was thick and fluffy, but it was definitely
>a bit bow-legged and its face looked grumpy and oddly
>squashed, as though it had run headlong into a brick wall"
>["The Leaky Cauldron", PoA]
>
>Check out Very Frequently Asked Questions for everything
>to do with this club:
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/VFAQ.htm
>
>
>
>
>
>_______ADMIN________ADMIN_______ADMIN__________
>
>From Monday 12th March, all OT (Off-Topic) messages must be posted to the 
>HPFGU-OTChatter YahooGroup, to make it easier for everyone to sort through 
>the messages they want to read and those they don't.
>
>Therefore...if you want to be able to post and read OT messages, point your 
>cyberbroomstick at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPFGU-OTChatter to join 
>now! For more details, contact the Moderator Team at 
>hpforgrownups-owner at yahoogroups.com.
>
>(To unsubscribe, send a blank email to 
>hpforgrownups-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com)
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.