Harry's innate abilities/ sweaters and Christmas gifts/ Power of selflessness

[bugaloo37]

No: HPFGUIDX 45113

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Richelle Votaw" <rvotaw at i...> wrote:
> <snip> 
> Good point.  Also, his innate goodness.  For example, in GoF.  
While he has just jumped up with everyone else and hexed Malfoy and 
co., a point is made as he leaves that Harry "stepped over* them.  As 
we know, others made it a point to step *on* them.  When others are 
totally defenseless, Harry is not about to take advantage of them.
<snip>

Thanks for your response.  I agree with your point also.  His innate 
goodness must have been a hard attribute to maintain given his 
exposure to such people as the Dursleys.  Here, IMO, is where we see 
the main difference between Harry and Tom Riddle/Voldemort's reaction 
to similar circumstances.  Both deprived of a parents love for 
differing reasons, both exposed to uncaring muggles, - yet their 
reactions to these circumstances are vastly different.  Tom Riddle 
takes his resentment of his father and punishes others with it.  
Harry thoroughly exposed to the worst the muggle world has to offer-
does not let his tormented past effect his relationships with other 
muggles or muggle-borns such as Hermione.  The same lessons that are 
being to taught to Harry via Dumbledore about taking charge and 
rising above circumstances were probably taught to Tom Riddle-
obviously with very little or no effect.  IMO, and apparently also 
Dumbledore's, we have to at some point no longer see ourselves as 
victims, blown by the wind, unable to make positive changes in our 
situations.  In a world, where children are more and more becoming 
innocent victims, JKR's lesson concerning teaching children the 
ability to think for themselves-to say no-is a timely lesson indeed.

bugaloo37-who wishes every child understood their worth and absolute 
beauty