Harry's resilience

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 12214

Hi --

Amy Z wrote:

> Jim:
> > The most plausible scenario of all for Harry. I really see him
> as "the man alone."  He may lose what he saved for everybody else.
>
> This may be wishful thinking on my part--I've been known to indulge
> in it--but I see Harry as being a lot more resilient than that.  He
> has already come through a really rotten childhood with his sense of
> self intact, and it's improving.  <snip> he seems to be
> getting more, not less, trusting, confident, resourceful, _____ (fill
> in your favorite sign of healthy emotional development).

I see him as being eventually resilient enough to rejoin the world.  I
agree with Jim that the graveyard scene in GoF was a walk in the park to
what he'll have to deal with before it's all over.  I think he might
well retreat into some solitary space (or perhaps an existence shared by
only his closest friends) for *awhile.*  But, like Amy, I see him
eventually wanting to create a life for himself, a life that includes
emotional intimacy with others.  He's spent some time gathering
emotional strength and learning how to connect with and trust other
people.  I can't imagine he would retreat from that entirely and
forever.  But, I think he'll have to rebuild his emotional resources for
some period of time after the ordeals of fighting (and defeating?)
Voldemort.

I don't picture him as avoiding marriage/commitment.  I think he'll
crave the stability and security that he can at last obtain with a solid
romantic attachment and a family.  I hardly think the boy who spent so
much of his childhood in horrid circumstances and then discovered a
sense of belonging, intimacy, friendship and love would turn his back on
all these wonderful things forever to return to a life of solitude.
But, like Jim, I don't think any of that will come easily or quickly
after the "War" is over.  I think there will be a period of solitude (or
perhaps just mostly solitude) and recovery for Harry ... most likely
anyway.  I think I probably picture the recovery period as being
reasonably short, whereas I gather Jim thinks it might be a longer
period of time.  My guess is a year, maybe 2.

Penny


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