Harry as a martyr? [was Re: Average Harry]

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 19316

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., dasienko at e... wrote:
> 
> This scenario follows the  definition of HERO that I learned many 
> years ago in a folklore class . I think that there were  about seven 
> hallmarks of a hero. I don't remember them all but those that I do 
> remember are:
> A hero has:
> *an "unnatural birth" this can usually be extended to an unnatural 
> occurence early in life (Harry meets/defeats Voldemort).
> *a hidden Childhood ( life with the Dursleys)
> * discovers his uniqueness (The letter from Hogwarts).
> * performs "magical" deeds. See PS/SS, etal.
> * confronts an enemy/battles to the death.
> * There are rumors and tales that  the hero isn't dead
> * There are tales that the hero will return again when the people 
are  in great need. Harry seems to be fulfilling the first couple of 
hallmarks, I guess  that I'll have to wait and see if Harry fits this 
definition of a  hero.

Ah - interesting that you brought that up!  I, too have thought about 
Harry in the Hero role, but there is more to the Hero than what you 
listed, although Harry fits that definition quite nicely.

I'm also relying on my memory here (even though I taught this to my 
high schoolers in October), so please forgive me if I mess up a bit -

Harry can fit into two kinds of heroes: folk and myth (I think that's 
what they're called).  He has all of the qualities you mentioned, but 
he also has the "sidekicks" (Ron and Hermione) and the many 
"sidetracks" that deter him from his quest, which is, of course, to 
defeat good ol' Voldie.  Quidditch, Cho, and the Tri Wizard Tournament 
are just a few of the things that draw his attention away from his 
quest to destroy Voldemort.

Eventually, as the hero, Harry will also have to make some major self 
discoveries (uh, more than the "you're a wizard" revelations), which 
he already is, and he will most likely bring something back from the 
quest that is Big - peace, new powers for all wizards(?)... something 
like that.  Of course, if Harry *gasp* dies, then he will have left 
behind his legacy and something of himself that is more than just mere 
memory.

Harry, I believe, clearly exhibits the characteristics of the folk and 
mythic hero - and he won't disappoint us.

--jenny from ravenclaw****************************