[HPforGrownups] Harry the Persecuted

[Brian Yoon]

No: HPFGUIDX 32264

> > jenny_ravenclaw wrote:
> Katz wrote:

> > I think Harry has many happy times at Hogwarts and that he is well
> > loved by many in the wizarding community (the Weasleys, his friends,
> > Sirius, Hagrid and more).  I do see though, a growing sense of
> > isolation in Harry that I believe will play a bigger part in OoP.
> > But do I think he is constantly persecuted and unhappy?  I don't know.
> > What do you all think?

I think that the persecution he receives in the Muggle world by his Uncle
and co. is more just annoying persecution.  JKR must have put it in to fit
stereotypes (the wicked caretakers, who don't pay attention to the poor
noble orphan), and we see those few chapters with a sort of half-serious
attitude.  We know this kind of evilness is only temporary, and that Harry
will soon be in Hogwarts, where he'll be "safe".  (The scene in CoS with the
Uncle literally jailing him in comes to mind.  That's _very_ extreme, but
it's humor, at least to me.  Apparently other people disagree)

> In the wizarding world, Harry is unique and very special. People take
> care of him, and they go out of their way to make sure he doesn't get
> into trouble, or at least get punished to the point of expulsion. He has

=) reminds me of Fudge's statement at the end of PoA, talking to Snape:
"Well, Harry Potter, we have a blind spot when it comes to him" or something
of that sort.

> If there is any isolation, I see emotional isolation, but not physical
> isolation. He usually only talked with Ron and Hermione anyway regarding
> his thoughts and feeling, and even then he kept his feelings pretty
> quiet (until book 4 with Mrs. Weasley...but even then he didn't want Ron
> watching him). I think it's going to be a natural progression that he
> becomes more aggressive when he interacts with people. I wouldn't be
> surprised if there's a major confrontation with Draco, and maybe even
> Snape. I think his anger will get to him at some point in the next book,
> and the outcome will be more than Aunt Marge blowing up, and the
> cupboard flying open. Frankly, I'd actually like to see Harry get
> angry.  It's about time. I think Harry's anger has been slowly brewing
> over the past 4 books, and I wonder, and almost hope, that he reaches
> his boiling point in the next book. I think it would be a pivotal moment
> in Harry's character development. Plus the fact, that I want him to get
> angry and demand some answers, so I can't stop speculating on certain
> issues!
>
You don't think he reached a point of losing control in Book 3?  I agree
with you: his isolation is purely emotional.  _Because_ he is famous and
"adored" by most of the wizarding world, he can't be sure who his real
friends are.  He can't be himself, because whenever his actions cause some
sort of trouble, it is whispered by the school and people will try to look
at the "celebrity" who, apparently, screws up so much.

Also, Harry Potter has become a lot more volatile.  I can't remember exactly
what book it was, but when Draco and Harry shot off curses at each other
(PoA?), and Hermione was hit, Snape insulted Hermione that infuriated Harry
and Ron.  While in the past Harry only spoke bad of Snape outside of his
hearing, he lets loose with his anger there, yelling expletives at Snape.
While he only acts defensively versus the basilisk and Quirrell, he tries to
fist-fight Black.  The books show a progression from the shy boy to one who
is not afraid to express his anger, if not his "weaker" emotions.  The
expression of anger comes from growing up: all boys become more able to
express themselves when they grow older.  The hiding of sadness once again
comes from his "celebrity"-ness: he feels a need to live up to his image,
and thus act "heroic" and "manly" all the time.

Brian Yoon