HP Characters: Three-Dimensional or Archetypes? (Harry in Particular)

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 27781

Penny wrote:

> I was reading an article in Christian Century entitled "Rowling as 
> Moralist," and I wanted to explore one of the author's assertions.  
She 
> says: "Although Rowling's characters are convincing and engaging, 
none 
> of them is fully three-dimensional.  These characters are 
progressively 
> revealed, but they don't grow or change -- not even Harry himself.  
As 
> each school year passes, Harry becomes more and ever more clearly 
who he 
> is.  But that's all.  His development is essentially linear."
> 

I have a couple of problems with the assertion that NO HP characters 
grow or change, they just progressively reveal themselves.  Let me 
start by taking issue with the premise of the question itself.

I'm no English Lit major, but I hardly think a character has 
to "change or grow" to be fully three-dimensional.  I always assumed 
the "three-dimensional" in writing referred to whether the 
character's personality is multi-faceted, even to the point of 
displaying internal conflict.  Even if, as Penny indicated, it is 
difficult to make the case that Ron has changed or grown, he is 
definitely multi-faceted, and with Snape and Harry, has the most 
dimensions of anyone in the series.  (Correct me if I 
misunderstand "three-dimensional" as it is used in the article).

Second, I think the question itself lacks context.  So far, the 4 
books cover 4 years.  How much "growth" (as it is defined in the 
article) can one expect in just four years?  I know people who have 
shown precious little true growth over most of a lifetime.

Third, the question ignores the "growth" that takes place in the 
backstory.  The story doesn't begin when Harry gets sorted.  It 
begins at least with the beginning of Voldemort's first reign of 
terror.  There may have been a great deal of growth in characters who 
were around then, and we just haven't seen all of it  -- yet.

Now, even if we accept the question as legitimate, I don't think the 
answer is all that simple.  Penny has already dealt quite nicely with 
Hermione, Harry and Ron, establishing that Hermione has grown the 
most.

But what about Fudge?  In PoA, he tells everyone (Marauders Map) that 
Voldemort alone and friendless is one thing, but give him back one of 
his most loyal servants (Sirius) and watch out.  Then, in GoF, 
he "changes" 180 degrees -- refusing to accept that Voldemort has 
returned and willing to call Harry a delusional liar.

Mrs. Weasley changed from being a loyal friend of Hermione to being 
willing to snub Hermione based on a magazine article.  (Which was one 
of the less convincing "changes" in GoF, BTW).

The twins have shown growth.  They used to be jokesters, making 
trouble for the sake of a good time.  Now they have gotten serious 
enough about it to try to make something of themselves and start a 
business.  That's definitely growth.

Hagrid has shown tremendous growth, going from being a gamekeeper 
about whom McGonagall has misgivings in PS/SS to being a reliable 
teacher who instructs Harry how to handle magical creatures he later 
encounters -- Buckbeak and skrewts.  

Sirius has undoubtedly changed a great deal if you consider the 
backstory of his imprisonment in Azkaban.  Obviously, he's not the 
handsome happy wizard he was at James and Lily's wedding.  I think he 
has come a long way from the irresponsible boy who almost got Snape 
killed, and has proven himself one of the most self-less characters 
in the books.

On balance, I think that the characters have changed plenty in the 
series.  Like many of us, they change when circumstances demand it, 
and not before.

Cindy (thinking that only people on HP4GU should be allowed to 
criticize the books)