[HPforGrownups] Purpose vs. Destiny

[Carol Bainbridge]

No: HPFGUIDX 43625

At 9/4/02 06:43 PM, bugaloo37 wrote:

>I am writing this post to make an amendment to a previous post in
>which I stated that Harry had a destiny to fulfill.  After further
>investigation into the definition of the word "destiny",

Ooooo, someone else who wants more precise definitions of terms!  I agree 
with you that the word change makes quite a difference.  I've had a problem 
with the destiny theories.  I'm not sure I like the purpose theory 
completely, but I DO like the idea that with this theory, Harry quite 
clearly has a choice, which is a lot less clear if one see his future as 
destiny.

><snip> To have a clearcut goal and to work
>towards that goal with all the abilities you can muster is not to say
>that the goal is certain.  IMO, Harry, at this point in time is
>unaware of his purpose-however, I do believe he is begining to gain
>insight as he matures.

I agree with this and have mentioned something similar before.  Right now 
he acts almost out of instinct, that is, he is basically a good kid who 
doesn't have to struggle over decisions.  He just seems to do the right 
thing without thinking about it. I think that as he matures, he will grow 
to understand more about why he does the things he does and will have a 
harder time making decisions, both because he'll be thinking more about 
them and because the decisions will be harder ones to make.  I also wonder 
if there is something about Harry that makes him the one person who has the 
best chance of succeeding in the battle against Voldemort.  And maybe that 
something is related to what it was that allowed Harry to survive the Avra 
Kadavra spell.

>The question can be asked- who will set forth
>the purpose for Harry's life?  His parents-who he has little or no
>memory of? ( and who may have provided Harry with secret abilities
>yet to be discovered and utilized)  Dumbledore-who seems to act as a
>guide through Harry's trials?

This is why I didn't completely like the "purpose" theory.

>IMO-Harry is a free agent-who seems to
>have certain special abilities which have proven to be effective
>against Voldemort.  Where these abilities came from and how Harry
>will develop them and for what purpose (theres my word again) he will
>use them -will be left strictly up to him.

Again I agree.  It could be, though, that Dumbledore understands what that 
special quality is that Harry has as well as why it is so significant, and 
that understanding is what motivates him to set up those lessons and tasks 
for Harry so that Harry will be equipped to take on Voldemort is that is 
his choice.  After all, if Harry isn't prepared, there's not much choice, 
is there?  He'd be toast.  If this is true, then we don't have to worry 
about purpose any more than we'd have to worry about destiny.  Harry's 
ability would be something that is simply a part of him, a part that could 
be put to good use, but it doesn't give him purpose, necessarily, nor does 
it dictate his destiny.  It does, however, give him a serious choice to make.

Carol Bainbridge
(kaityf at jorsm.com)

http://www.lcag.org