[HPforGrownups] Re: Average Harry?

[Barbara Purdom]

No: HPFGUIDX 18963

Hi!  I just signed up for the list, and I don't tend
to lurk.  My name's Barb, and I could help be
fascinated by the many arguments for and against
Harry's "specialness."  I think the clue that JKR
gives to what makes Harry special lies in how similar
to Voldemort Harry is in many ways--half Muggle,
orphaned, raised in the Muggle world, even physical
similarities.  But the the greatest DISSIMILARITY
between Harry and Voldemort is something that V. has
that H. does not: he uses his background and childhood
experiences to feed his anger and hatred.  He is
forever pursuing power over others as some kind of
revenge against the universe for making him powerless
to control his situation when he was a child.  Harry's
response is very Zen; he does not try to control, and
usually finds that he is in complete control.  He does
not become an embittered, revenge-driven person, even
after years of living in a closet under the stairs. 
He is always ready to risk his own safety for the good
of others.  He thinks of himself last, and comes out
on top.  

That's one reason why Ron is merely a sidekick; he has
a lot of bottled-up resentment and jealousy, and
dreams of glory (his vision in the Mirror of Erised;
and is it any coincidence he had to spend so much time
cleaning slug slime off Tom Riddle's Award for Special
Services to the School?).  Although I don't think
he'll turn evil or anything, he could certainly make a
bad decision at some point that will put Harry or
others at risk.  He's an accident waiting to happen. 
(But Harry will forgive him afterwards, because that's
who he is.)

Harry and Voldemort have very similar departure
points, but their destinations are very different. 
THAT is what makes Harry special.

 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/