Harry's response to trauma WAS Re: Why to Like and Not Like OoP

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 70578

The Formerly Admiring Skeptic wrote:

>>> As a result, I've given up, for now, the 15-page thesis I'm in 
the middle of writing, detailing all the plusses and minuses of OoP. 
There doesn't seem to be anyplace to post it and get further 
exploration, only comments by people intent on shooting the minuses 
down. All the careful, logical analysis, the even-handed 
presentations, the comparative studies, and such like are sitting 
half-done in a computer file, waiting for the Messiah (as we say 
where I come from).<<<

I am too far out of the loop to comment on the overall quality of 
HPfGU discussion since June 21.  I read one very petulant, 
silly "Harry's a big zero" post and a lot of petulant responses to 
it.  That was discouraging, but you know, membership here is open.  
This means that not everyone will meet everyone else's standard for 
mature, insightful discussion.  But good, constructive comments did 
follow in time.

I'm glad you didn't just keep your thoughts to yourself, because the 
only way to raise the level of discussion is to contribute 
challenging, thoughtful posts.

I like your thoughts on the plot, theme and characterization 
problems, but don't feel very qualified to comment yet.  I'm still 
about 10 chapters into Read #2 and the jury is out on how I like it 
(though the fact that I'm reading it so slowly says something not 
very good); my perception is so different this time around that I 
don't think I should respond to most of your points based only on my 
first-reading perceptions.

I will just pick up on one point that I think can be set aside.

>>>To be realistic, Harry ought to be suffering from Post-Traumatic 
Stress Disorder, after the graveyard scene combined with the severe 
lack of emotional support afterwards. His behavior should not be that 
of a "normal," "hormonal" teenager, but that of a frighteningly 
disturbed, almost psychotic kid. Kids can repress the kind of thing 
Harry went through, but then they look artificially put-together, not 
like "normal," anger-venting teens. And if Harry somehow had 
magically superhuman emotional resources, he again would not be 
losing control of his temper. So Harry's behavior in OoP, while 
realistic of certain people in the world, is totally unrealistic for 
Harry.<<<

There seems to be a logical fallacy here.  First of all, most 
sufferers of trauma do not end up with PTSD.  We have talked many, 
many times about whether Harry's resilience (pre-OoP) is realistic.  
Some think only magic could explain how he stayed so emotionally 
healthy through such a neglectful and abusive upbringing; that Lily's 
love stayed with him, or Dumbledore laid some kind of emotional as 
well as physical protection on him when he left him in the lions' 
den.  Others think he's just a particularly resilient person.  Some 
people DO grow up emotionally sound even when they've been treated 
horribly.  You need to fill in a few steps in order to explain why 
that isn't realistic for Harry.

But secondly, you seem to be saying there are two options:

(1)  Harry has "magically superhuman emotional resources" and is 
therefore unaffected by trauma.

(2)  Harry is "a frighteningly disturbed, psychotic kid" because of 
the recent (and past) traumas.

How about a third option:

(3)  Harry does have deep emotional resources, but he has been 
through terrible experiences.  As a result, he is not on the verge of 
collapse, but he is rage-filled, plagued by nightmares, prone to 
outbursts of temper that are usually uncharacteristic for him, 
untrusting, and sullen.  

Doesn't that seem realistic?

Amy Z

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"Simply fabulous," he whispered, indicating the automatic ticket 
machines.  "Wonderfully ingenious."

"They're out of order," said Harry, pointing at the sign.

"Yes, but even so . . . " said Mr. Weasley, beaming fondly at them.