Why to Like and Not Like OoP

[newdella]

No: HPFGUIDX 70654

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "m.steinberger" <steinber at z...> 
wrote:

<snipped huge sections of essay>

>             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.
> 
> The Formerly Admiring Skeptic
> 
I read your post three times.  I wanted to make sure that I 
completely understood it.  Although I don't agree with a lot of what 
you had to say, you do make some interesting points.  I however, do 
like OOP.  Although, It's not my favorite of the series.  I'd like to 
just make two comments.  

First, although this is a series of 7 it's really set up 
differently.  Books 1-3 are a trilogy, Book 4 stands on it's own and 
Books 5-7 are the second trilogy.  This is how I felt about the books 
since the first time I read them.  (Yes, I came to Harry Potter after 
book 4).  Having said that it's seems to me that we need to view this 
book as book 1 rather then book 5. 

Second, in reference to the section cited above.  As I have recently 
come to learn due to RW events in my own life.  Every person deals 
with pain, hurt and trauma differently.  Every person heals from 
these events differently and on their own timetable.  So, while I 
agree with you that Harry should be suffering, I believe that he is.  
You state that Harry should either behave in manner a or manner b. I 
completely disagree. Why can't Harry behave in manner f?

Yes, Harry needs help.  He definately needs someone to talk to.  I 
never thought that Harry's behavior was "wrong" or "unrealistic".  
Okay, attacking Dudley was the wrong thing to do, but the emotions 
that made him do it weren't.  I understood his rage.  Maybe that says 
more about me then it does about Harry.  

Rosebeth