[HPforGrownups] Harry and bravery (was: The Sorting Hat)

[Kathryn Cawte]

No: HPFGUIDX 87354


> Derek:
> He's conscious of the danger in that scene, but there are others in
> which he isn't.  But I think the main point Kathryn and Kneasy were
> trying to make is that (for example) if Harry, Ron, and Neville all
> face some danger, and only Ron and Neville are afraid, then only
> Ron and Neville have shown courage by facing it.  Facing something
> you're not afraid of doesn't require bravery.  Harry is certainly
> *bold*, and I'm not sure I'd say he *lacks* bravery, per se.  But
> I can see their point saying it's not his primary trait.  To me,
> bravery is *Ron's* primary trait.  He constantly faces things that
> frighten him.

K

Yes that's exactly what I meant - and it's one of the reasons I love Ron so
much. *Especially* after he followed Harry into the Forbidden Forest chasing
the spiders - personally I'd have taken Death Eaters over spiders any day :)

I agree we can't say Harry lacks bravery, just that he doesn't need to
demonstrate it very often because he very often isn't afraid. Neville and
Ron are much better examples of courageous Gryffindors than Harry - I can't
say that Harry fits the profile of any one house, maybe that'll help him to
unite the four houses.

K