[HPforGrownups] Harry's Intelligence

[Katze]

No: HPFGUIDX 32578

theo_kestrel wrote:
> 
> I apologize if this has already been discussed, as I'm a relative
> newbie to this group and to this point have merely lurked in the
> shadows.
> 
> I'm curious to know what people's thoughts are on the subject of
> Harry's intelligence. Harry is often described as being eerily
> similar to his father in many ways, in regards to looks, Quidditch
> skill, and even personality traits. Being the son of his father, who
> was Head Boy in his time, and his mother, the Head Girl, I'm curious
> why his own academic achievements seem to be less than impressive
> when compared to his parents. 

I have some thoughts on this...

> Is he simply not as intelligent as his parents? 

I think he's quite intelligent and succeeds when he puts his mind to it.
The books have stated a few times that both he and Ron passed with good
marks.

> Is it because of his upbringing, when he had the Dursleys to
> worry about instead of school? 

This and that someone is always out to kill him. Perhaps he has a little
more stress that the average child?

> Why wouldn't he seek the shelter of
> books like others often do when trying to escape the harshness of
> reality? 

Not everyone goes to the books to escape. Harry uses Quidditch as his
distraction. I think in book 3, he was happy to have the extra practices
that Wood enforced to keep his mind off of Black and the dementors. He
used to stay outside and play while at the Dursleys to stay away from
the house as well. I just think he's more active, and books might not
pre-occupy his mind like they would with Hermione.

> Do you seem him blossoming academically as he gets older, or
> will the weight of his eventual confrontation with Voldemort further
> put him off his studies-or will he take the opposite tack, and apply
> himself more than he has in the past to arm himself with the
> knowledge necessary for victory?  

I believe they'll be getting their OWLs this year, and I think he will
do very well. He may not become Head Boy (I really don't think he will
be appointed that position...I'd prefer him be Quidditch captain), but
that doesn't mean he's not intelligent. His parents didn't exactly have
his life to contend with (maybe they did...but we don't know). I think
Harry will always do fine academically, even if he doesn't have straight
A's.

-Katze