Father figures/good big brothers

[Schlobin at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 14627

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Doreen" <nera at r...> wrote:
> I split this out from the chapter questions because it's a general
> observation.
> 
> Schlobin at a... 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.
> <big snip>
> 
> 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
> 
> And don't forget Hagrid. He protects Harry as an infant. He places 
him with
> the Dursley's, knowing that this is for the best, but not liking 
it, much as
> a parent who adopts out their child. He gives him advice and scolds 
him;
> takes care of his financial needs; takes him shopping for his first 
day at
> wizard school; expects more from him than he does other students in 
his
> class (anyone who has a teacher for a parent can attest to this); 
and he
> seems to be there whenever Harry needs someone to talk to.
> 
> Doreen


Yes, I see Hagrid not as a father figure, but as the (good) big 
brother figure..Hagrid is just not a grown up (good and bad). 
In some ways, he's still an adolescent just like Harry.....But he IS 
the quintessential big brother..I had one..who protected me from 
bullies, taught me all kinds of things, played with me constantly,
lost at chess and ping-pong to me, and was really angry (which was 
great because it meant that he at 7 years older took me seriously), 
bought me books including the first C.S. Lewis books, read to me when 
I was sick, etc. etc....But he wasn't a parent...we set off illegal 
firecrackers together..we were kids together and that's how I see 
Harry and Hagrid..comments?