The Useless Character of Harry Potter

[debrawaudby]

No: HPFGUIDX 69547

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Josephine" <josie421 at h...> 
wrote:
snip
> Harry Potter is boring.
> Harry Potter is dull.
> Harry Potter never comes around to doing anything.
> He isn't particularly talented, not charming, smart, friendly, 
witty, 
> good-looking, funny, or even evil or conspiratory.
> In fact, Harry Potter has no function except carrying the whole 
> frickin' story upon his ruddy adolescent shoulders (...)
snip> 
> I mean, think about it. Who makes the Potter books worth reading? 
Not 
> Potter. Potter is a whiny, insecure, mouse-gray sort-of hero. Not 
> complex, but stupid. He knows nothing. I hate him.
> Look, instead, at the people surrounding him: Hermione, who carries 
> the burden of being intelligent and best friends with two thick-
> headed slugs, Ginny, who matures and turns into someone awfully 
cool 
> and smart in the Phoenix, Snape, who is mysterious and sexy as I 
> don't-know-what, Dumbledore, who is too emotional and saint-like to 
> be true, Ron, who is humorous and true to real life... Hagrid... 
Aunt 
> Petunia... Black and Lupin...
> 
> Harry Potter means nothing. JKR ought to kill him.
> 
> End of story.
> 
> Josephine
> (er, and yes, this was *sort of* sarcastic, but I'm not in the 
Potter 
> fanclub. I like to exaggerate... and I haven't had my coffee yet.)


ok...... ive got to disagree with you there, sure Harry is not an All 
American Blue Eyed hero, surely a good thing as a mother of three I 
would like my kids to read of characters that they can relate to.  
He makes mistakes he cant always control his emotions and feelings.

He is not the most intelligent guy in the class (but not far off).  
Dull? I don't think so if that were so how would JKR managed to write 
5 books about his adventures so far? Because they are his adventures 
based on the choices he makes, right or wrong, and I actually think 
Harry is portrayed as a young frightened boy who tries to make the 
right choices in difficult circumstances.  As a role model for kids 
reading the book I think he is excellent. 

Yes hes been a bit testy this last year but quite frankly can you 
blame him, generally he still remains fair and reasonable to those 
around him.

I find it a little disapointing that people still think a hero needs 
to be good looking, funny, charming and witty.

Personally I would look for:  integrity, honour, courage, honesty, 
loyalty etc.  All of which Harry Potter has in abundance.

Ok I'm off my soap box now

Deb