Harry's Fear and Emotions

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 49397

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "coloradocowgirl94
<grayhorsestudio at a...>" <grayhorsestudio at a...> wrote:

> ...edited...
> 
> This also brings up the character trait of nobility. To me, this is 
> the ability to rise above oneself - it has to do with those choices 
> that JKR puts at the center of Harry's whole person. What does 
> Dumbledore say? It's not what we're born, it's who we grow to be 
> (paraphrase)? This is the philosophical idea that one IS one's 
> choices. Agree with the philosophical point or not, if Harry IS his 
> choices, his choice to stand and fight DESPITE his fear is what 
> defines him as a person.
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> My two cents - feel free to sort me out!!
> 
> K

bboy_mn:
Allow me to add a few more Farthings into the discussion at hand.

Relative to the quote above-

Definition of a FOOL - someone who is not afraid.

Definition of a HERO - someone who is afraid and does what has to be
done anyway.

Very few true heroes want to be heroes, and very few heroes view
themselves as heroes. They were simply people doing what seem the
obvious thing to do; simply doing what needed to be done. Don't get me
wrong, I'm not denying their courage and bravery. But they acted
without 'heroic' forethought or intent. They did what was right simple
because it was the right thing to do. Very noble in my eyes.

Now to expand the discussion to Harry's emotions in general, rather
than just the need to cry or his reaction to fear.

I think we need to give some thought to Harry being an abused child.
To live in an abusive household, is to live with a bomb that could go
off at any second, and even the slightest little thing could trigger
it. The creak of a floor board, a sudden laugh or a smile, a simple
question, or just being in the wrong room at the wrong time; it defies
all logic. So you learn to be understated, that way you can't say
anything wrong. To remain unseen, because those who can't see you
can't hurt you. This is not an evironment that creates outgoing (in a
positive way) expressive people. Abused people are guarded, defensive,
and protective of themselves. They learn to get by alone. As lonely as
alone might be, alone is still the safest place to be for someone in
an abusive situation. 

Harry doesn't ask for help, because his abusive environment has taught
him that the only person he can depend on to act is a sane, reliable,
and rational way is himself. The only person he can trust enough to
reveal his innerself to is himself and no one else. 

To live in an abusive household, or go to an 'abusive' school is to
live with irrational insanity. When you are faced with that, the world
doesn't come off as a very trustworth place.

Harry however has great feelings for and trust in Mrs. Weasley, and I
think he loves the Weasley family very deeply. In a sense, they are
the only family he has ever had; that he has ever truly known. So, if
there is anyone who can get him to lower his defensive emotional
shield, it is probably Mrs. Weasley. 

There are a lot of people predicting the death of one or more Weasley
family members. I really hope not, because, now that he is older, that
loss of the only love he is able to feel in his life, is going to be
massively devastating. To lose a Weasley brother will hurt as much as
losing his own brother. To lose a Weasley parent will be more
devistating than the loss of his own. I really hope that doesn't
happen. Harry may be able to handle it, but I'm not sure if I can.

My general point is to remind people to factor Harry's abusive past
into his lack of emotional expression.

Just a few thoughts.

bboy_mn