Annoyed with Harry, etc. **Spoilers**

[Brooke]

No: HPFGUIDX 63109

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "anandinisekhar" 
<anandini77 at h...> wrote:
> REPOST:
> > Did anyone else think Harry was a bit of a whiny baby-butt? I 
> couldn't believe that he was constantly complaining. I mean, yes he 
> is brilliant and all, but get over yourself. The only thing I can 
> chalk it up to is his being 15. (I have a 15 yr old sister so I am 
> currently getting PLENTY of experience with the age).



Hi.  I understand how you feel.  I myself found this book very 
frustrating to read in terms of Harry's consistent anger, stress and 
confusion.  His temper so often got the better of him, and this was 
difficult for me, the reader, because the narrative is expressed 
through Harry's point of view (2nd person of course) -not to mention 
he is the hero and we want him to cosummate all the qualities of a 
typical hero.  I was very alarmed at his growing hostility towards 
Dumbledore and how he took it out on those nearest him (mainly Ron & 
Hermione).

But, I think the stories would come off (IMHO) as ridiculous and not 
believable (minus the magic stuff of course) if Harry were perfect 
and never made mistakes.  He is so much easier to relate to when we 
can see that he is after all, just human (like we have now seen with 
Dumbledore & his first sign of deep emotion).  Harry has been dealt a 
pretty tough hand of cards in the game of life, and even though it 
was difficult to watch him struggle with his reactions and emotions 
in OOP, I cannot honestly say that I blame him.  

In the books before, I think Harry was usually quite calm and took 
things pretty well (with just a few outbursts now and then).  But to 
me, the things that happen to Harry in this last book were like the 
last straw.  I felt like it was about time that he started showing 
signs of anger, frustration, confusion, and an an emotional breakdown 
considering all that was up against him during his 5th year.  

Umbridge was an abusive and unbearable, she banned Harry from 
Quidditch (the one thing that really brings him joy), Hagrid was 
being somewhat distant and secretive, Hogwarts was literally falling 
apart when Umbridge made DD leave, Harry's efforts with Cho became 
increasingly frustrating and difficult, and to top it off - the one 
person that was closest to Harry's parents gets killed by his own 
cousing.  

All his life, and definitely during OOP, Harry is always told to not 
ask questions and stay out trouble with no explanations.  To me, 
Harry had every right to pull out all the stops and demand some 
answers from DD.  The temperemental way in which he handled the 
situations I think were very much a reflection of his age.  I believe 
Harry will be able to gain some control over his reactions with time 
and maturity.  Besides, he's got Hermione's logic & Ron's good nature 
to help pull him through, right?!?!  

Just my two knuts, Brooke