OOP: Adolescent Angst

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 66280

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jim Flanagan" <jamesf at a...> 
wrote:

>Harry's tendencies to keep things to himself have been a running 
theme since the first book, and it is easy to see where they come from 
(his initials are VD).>
 
and:  
>This gives OOP its downbeat tone that a lot of people don't like, but 
which is actually a very advanced theme for a "children's" book.
> 
> I think that JKR has done a remarkable job of writing about an 
> extremely difficult age for a boy.>

I was actually relieved for Harry when he started letting it all out.  
People may not like it, but it would be much less believable if Harry 
had continued to always be the quiet one when others lost their 
tempers or spoke out.  He's not mute, after all.  At this point in 
Harry's life, I think he's pretty damned tired of having manners, 
making respectful requests, and being ostracized and isolated from 
nearly everyone he knows.  

Don't we want to see characters who stand up for themselves?  I know I 
do, but I may be biased there.  I have a low tolerance for people who 
are doormats.  Harry was never a doormat, but there have certainly 
been questions here at HPFGU about why Harry isn't asking more 
questions - about his parents, his scar, why he's pursued by 
Voldemort, etc.  In reality, no one will give answers to people who 
ask no questions, and JKR shows us that this is how it goes in the WW 
as well.  Had Harry not demanded that he know what was going on while 
he was tucked away at the Dursleys, I don't think he would have found 
out a thing.  The fact that he was petulant and moody about everything 
only made me believe in him more.

Better Harry starts dealing with his emotions now anyway, as he will 
need to have them under control in order to defeat Voldemort.  That's 
my one and only rock solid prediction that I'll stand by.

--jenny from ravenclaw, who keeps dreaming that she is a part of the 
WW ******************************************