A Harry Failure

[drmm_fuuko]

No: HPFGUIDX 58972

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, maisaura2 at a... wrote:
<< First, in response to Dr. MM's examples of Harry's impetuous, 
arrogant, and 
> reckless behavior, I mean no disrespect when I say that I think 
this is 
> precisely Snape's view of it.  For those who are among the series' 
harshest critics, 
> the same charge is leveled-- Harry flagrantly disregards rules that 
are in 
> place for his safety and that of others.  Not only does Harry get 
away with "it" 
> (whatever "it" may be), he is then rewarded and deemed heroic for 
his "bloody cheek.">>

Heheh, well, it's no secret that Snape is my favorite character. I've 
always thought that Snape has a point, even if he doesn't make it in 
the best way (and is way too harsh about it) ...

<< The conclusion I finally drew was that if **I** as an adult, were 
faced with 
> these kinds of challenges and problems, I would seek the advice and 
assistance 
> of others.  But would I have done the same thing as a know it all, 
seen it 
> all, done it all pre-teen or teenager?  Probably not.  I think JKR 
is calling 
> upon the very well founded idea that children and teens will seek 
help amongst 
> themselves, rather than grown ups.>>>

I agree and I think that's precisely why Harry needs to fail.

A major theme throughout all four books so far is growing up. Growing 
up means that we learn to ask for advice or help when we need it, 
rather than assuming that we can handle it ourselves. Although he's 
more willing to do so in GoF, Harry is still hesitant to ask for help 
from adults (he doesn't want to ask Dumbledore about his dreams) and 
he's even reluctant to ask for advice from his friends (Neville and 
the Tournament).

A failure that Harry is directly responsible for will teach him that 
he is not invincible; he cannot do everything himself. Once he learns 
that, he will realize that he sometimes *has* to ask for help and 
advice. And I still think that since Harry is not directly 
responsible for Cedric's death, it will take another death for him to 
understand this.

And I've always thought that Harry's actions are understandable and 
the books would be very boring and much, much shorter if he acted any 
different. I just think that Harry does need to learn a bit of 
caution and realize that he CAN fail.

DrMM