Neville and Harry (was A Harry Failure)

[Linda]

No: HPFGUIDX 59013

Brief Chronicles wrote:

> But I also see Neville as a pathetic character. He's nearly a 
squib, and while Harry sticks up for him in public, he has never 
extended a hand to welcome him in as a close friend.
> 
> I think this is because Harry, Ron, and Hermione recognize that 
Neville lacks the skill, guts, and brains to measure up. While they 
don't dislike him for this, they are aware of his shortcomings and 
treat him more like a helpless child than an equal.
 
 I disagree with you on this. I don't see Neville as being a 
pathetic character at all, and I don't think HHR do either. I don't 
recall any instance where the trio treats him like a child. I see 
Neville as an example in perseverance for HHR to follow. In fact, 
the trio tries to offer him encouragement and give him the support 
he needs in order to stand on his own two feet. After the leg locker 
curse incident-" 'Your worth twelve of Malfoy', Harry said. 'The 
sorting hat chose you for Griffyndor, didn't it? And where's Malfoy? 
In stinking Slytherin.'"(chap 13 SS) As a result of this 
conversation, Neville stands up for himself at the quidditch game. I 
think Neville's problem isn't as much one of talent or lack there 
of, 
but of low self esteem, and I think HHR realize that. They speak up 
most often when it's Neville's confidence in himself that is shaken. 
Think about it. How much self esteem would you have if you were 
constantly told all your life, by family members no less, that you 
didn't measure up. "My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off 
my guard and force some magic out of me---he pushed me off the 
Blackpool pier once and I nearly drowned..." Doesn't sound like 
Neville even knows what possitive reinforcement is- at least until 
he started school. HHR are now supplying that. It makes me wonder 
how much the quality of magic a wizard/witch can do is related to 
the amount of confidence backing up the spell. Remember Neville at 
the end of the boggart lesson in PoA? He finished with a level of 
confidence that we rarely see in him, thanks this time to Lupin's 
confidence in him. I wonder if we will really see the true power of 
Neville only once he believes in himself.

-Linda