[HPforGrownups] Harry's lack of fear (was: Snape/Neville/Trevor)

[artsylynda at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 53059

Snapesangel:

> you're right to point out that a naturally fearful
> person doing something minor that is a big deal to them is as brave as
> Harry (who seems to have an almost negligent lack of scepticsim and
> fear at times)is when he battles the basilisk or various incarnations
> of Voldemort.
> 

I don't think Harry has a "negligent lack of scepticism and fear" -- he's 
scared every time it's appropriate to be scared, and I think he's skeptical 
of lots of things.  But that little voice in the back of his head that 
protects him from the Imperius Curse is only one of the weapons in Harry's 
rather impressive arsenal that helps him keep his head when under pressure.  
(As Ron said during the Devil's Snare incident in SS [when he told Hermione 
to make a fire], at least Harry keeps his head under stress [paraphrasing 
here]).  Harry has a cool resolve that surfaces under pressure.  When the 
worst happens, nearly every time, he's the only one there in a position to do 
something, even if he doesn't know what to do (such as in CoS when he cries 
for help and Fawkes appears bringing him the Sorting Hat).  Most folks faced 
with a basilisk and having only a Sorting Hat as a "weapon" would lose heart 
altogether, but Harry keeps fighting with whatever he can find at hand, even 
a *hat.*  (Fortunately he pulled the sword out of it instead of a rabbit! 
LOL!)  He doesn't know how to use a sword, but gives it his best anyway.  
That's raw courage and heart.  He does have some skepticism, which shows when 
he correctly analyzes people's motives (such as Fudge in GoF when Harry says 
"You've been reading Rita Skeeter" -- he cut through Fudge's rhetoric and 
posturing and pinpointed the problem *apparently* before any of the adults 
figured it out.)  He knows fear -- a wise person always recognizes fear.  He 
recognizes fear and resolutely goes forward because turning back is worse 
than what he faces ahead of him.  Turning back means lots of people will die, 
or Voldemort will gain power, or something else bad will happen (like losing 
a Quidditch match -- he knows fear before each match too, but it's more stage 
fright nerves than the kind of fear he faces other places, despite the fact 
he's often in mortal danger during Quidditch games).  

Harry is very unselfish -- in GoF, he could've rescued only Ron and won that 
challenge, but he couldn't leave the others behind to drown.  So he risked 
his life and Ron's, as well, to try to save the others.  Fear?  Just another 
obstacle in Harry Potter's day.  He'll do what he has to do despite the fear 
and danger -- that's the hero's way.  ;->

And yes, I am a huge Harry Potter fan!!  ;->

Lynda 
* * *
"Don't let  the Muggles get you down." Ron Weasley PoA


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