The Black Dog

[Richard Parker]

No: HPFGUIDX 84072


Thanks for the cultural explanation of the grim. I agree that Harry is clearly 
depressed for the majority of OOTP, and even suicidal at one point in 
Dumbledores office after Sirius' death. I however do not expect harry to 
recover quickly from such an event, and I think his darker temperament will 
remain with him through to the series conclusion. Once you sink to the lowest 
of lows as Harry surely now has done, it isn't easy to get up again as if 
nothing has happened and become the innocent boy he once was. His perceptions 
are now coloured permanently by a degree of cynicism and this is reflected 
through his bittering attitude. He will grow from his experiences, but how long 
it will take for him to move on from such tragedy is anyones guess. I just 
don't think it is realistic to expect a bright and bubbly harry next year.


In regards to concentration, a lack of it is perhaps the biggest bane of anyone 
who has suffered depression, including myself. You almost think about things 
too much (like what if's and should have's) and have little mental capacity 
left for studies, work, ect. 


-- 
Richard Parker

3rd year Archaeology Student (Historical stream), Flinders University, Adelaide.

"It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our 
abilities." -Albus Dumbledore

<http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/archaeology/>