[HPforGrownups] Re: Great or lucky?

[Mary Shearer]

No: HPFGUIDX 32388


--- jenny_ravenclaw <meboriqua at aol.com> wrote:
>
 --- In HPforGrownups at y..., Katze <jdumas at k...>
> wrote:
> 
> >I think, "Yeah...he's pretty powerful"... 
> > 
> > I think his powers are going to sneak up on him
> (much like Marge, 
> and the pillow, and the broom).>
> 
> Nice list, Katze.  I'd have to put Harry down in the
> Great Wizard 
> department.  As far as luck is concerned, most of
> Harry's has been bad 
> luck (like losing his parents and having to live
> with the Dursleys), 
> but other seemingly lucky things about him are
> easily explained.
> 
> I think Harry's powers really stand out when he
> performs magic 
> involuntarily, like at the zoo or blowing up Aunt
> Marge.  The more he 
> is able to control and channel his emotions into his
> magic, the more 
> powerful he will become.  Come to think of it, it is
> quite interesting 
> that when he duels with Voldemort, it is Harry's
> wand that forces the 
> previous spells from Voldemort's wand, not the other
> way around.  If 
> that came from Harry, that is another great example
> of how great a 
> wizard he is.  
> 
>
> 
> 
Yes!  For example, Dumbledore is considered by most in
the wizarding world to be one of the greatest wizards
of all time. It goes without saying that he is
powerful, but power alone does not bring one to
greatness - it is how one chooses to use such power
that makes the distinction.  Harry's actions thus far
(thanks for the list, Katze) point to his coming
greatness. We have to remember that Harry is just a
kid - one without a great deal of self-confidence, by
the way.  In school, he seems rather unfocused and
unremarkable in his accomplishments.  It is when he is
least self-conscious that he steps up his abilities,
and suprises himself. As jenny mentioned, he will
probably gain self-discipline as he grows, and become
quite powerful.  

How will he choose to use that power?  His actions
already give us many indicators. Harry's innate
goodness always determines these actions - even the
negative ones (like Aunt Marge.) He hates injustice,
petty meanness, and the persecution of those to whom
he is most loyal (especially his parents, hence Aunt
Marge!) Perhaps that is why he is victorious in the
duel with V, in spite of his immature skills.  Setting
himself up as the champion of good over evil
(something he seems driven to do no matter what the
cost) gives him a wisdom and power beyond his
years.(As evidenced by his compassion toward
Wormtail.) This is probably the series' single biggest
theme...good will triumph. 

As for being lucky, Harry is surrounded by friends who
help him...is that lucky, or another sign of coming
greatness?  His parents were good people who inspired
the loyalty of many friends who have now transferred
that loyalty to Harry. I don't think for a second that
he could keep it if he hadn't also inherited his
parents' legacy of good-heartedness. 

Is he living out his destiny, or making his own
choices?  Yes. If we keep working under the assumption
that Harry's greatness will grow out of his goodness
of spirit, he is doing both.  His choices are made
from the goodness of his heart, a legacy from birth
that determines his destiny.  Perhaps this is what
Dumbledore (a great wizard himself) sees in Harry, and
leads him to believe that Harry is chosen to champion
the cause of good against Voldemort. Yes, IMHO, Harry
is great - he just doesn't know it yet.  
            -Mary (who is wiping beads of sweat from
her upper lip, and coming out of the literary analysis
trance.)   

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