Father figures (was Chapter 35 - more, and more and more)

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 14593

I split this out from the chapter questions because it's a general
observation.

Schlobin at aol.com wrote:

> 1) What about the father-son relationships in HP/specifically in GofF
> b) What about Harry's relationship with his father/father figures?
> c) What about Harry and Dumbledore? Dumbledore is the Great Protector
> of Harry, watching over him, throughout his life.
> d)Then we have Sirius and Harry..Sirius is Harry's godfather, and
> Harry has also begin to depend and trust him.

I had a weird thought. I think you must include Snape (and Lupin) in the
father figure list. Let me explain!!! I'm not *just* a Snape loony.

I have a book called "Gift of an Eagle" or something like that, about a
man who had a trained golden eagle--it was the whole from egg-to-release
story. This was the eagle who appeared in several (oddly named) True
Life Adventures by Disney, and some "Lassie" episodes, etc. ANYway, this
eagle adored her trainer, giving him many behaviors observed by eagles
with their mates, and detested the trainer's son, attacking him at any
opportunity. The author (the son) speculated that part of the reason
this eagle thrived so when in captivity was the broad range of "normal"
behaviors she was able to experience--having a mate, defending her
territory from the enemy (the son), etc.

Harry's character reminds me of this eagle--in an artificial situation,
transferring behaviors to those who can support the role. I think that
the relationship between a father and a son is tremendously complex, and
must of necessity have both postive and negative aspects for a balanced
maturity. Harry has several adult males in his life, who fulfill
portions of the role of father. Dumbledore has the sense of power to
him, someone who knows more, the source of answers and instruction.
Sirius (and Lupin) are the companion, the person who comes to be your
friend, too, as you mature. And Snape is the negative aspect. He's the
one who doesn't understand, who sets curfews, who won't let you explain,
the one you just *hate* and can't wait to move out of his house. I think
together, these men are providing Harry with what he needs,
emotionally---and you need the negative, as well as the positive. I
doubt this is deliberate on their parts--I think it's just the way they
each are--but I think this is how Harry's psyche is accepting them. He
has not considered Snape a physical threat to him since the first book;
he really reacts to him the way a boy does who does not get along with
his father.

I think Harry has removed himself completely from any emotional
connection with the Dursleys, so that Uncle Vernon doesn't even qualify
for the negative father aspects. He's an adversary, plain and simple.

So, whadda y'all think?

--Amanda


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