Birth, Doubt, Fear, Pride, Disillusionment

[ellejir]

No: HPFGUIDX 79767

Wanda wrote: 
> I do think, however, that in OotP there is a change of tone in 
> Harry's heroics; he suddenly seems *self-conscious* in a rather 
> unpleasant way.  He broods bitterly about his experiences; he
> loudly recites his exploits to his friends when they all arrive at 
> Grimmauld Place; he makes a point of emphasizing that HE is the one 
> who did everything, ignoring the help he received from others.  
> He's no longer the self-effacing Harry Potter who just thinks of
> others - he's developed an ego, and it's not a pretty sight. <snip>


Elle (Me):
Well stated Wanda; I have to agree with you. However, IMO this change 
in Harry's personality and self-awareness is necessary for the series 
to develop.  To some readers, the "self-effacing Harry Potter" who 
only thought of others was something of a cipher.  Here is a boy who 
is known to all in the wizarding world for defeating LV as a baby, 
who wins almost every quiddich game he every plays, who secures the 
House Cup for Gryffindor 3 years in a row, and who saves the 
school/WW/his friends and defeats evil and/or LV like clock-work 
every June.  It would be a bit unrealistic if Harry was *not* 
developing an ego. (Even so, he is not as much of a *Big Head* as 
Percy, James or Sirius, all of whom have much less cause to be 
conceited.)  

It is never a pretty sight when the sweet innocence of childhood is 
gobbled up by the hormones of adolescence, but that is part of 
becoming an adult.  At the end of OoP, I think that Harry *does* 
realize that his own recklessness and ego have contributed to 
Sirius's death. I hope that this gradually will lead to a more 
thoughtful and mature Harry in the next 2 books. IMO, this 
development of his character is natural and makes the books more 
interesting than they would be if Harry's personality remained 
basically static for seven years despite the mayhem and tragedy that 
seem to be his fate.   

Fortunately, the basic sweetness that is the core of Harry's nature 
is still intact, despite all the surface anger in OoP.  When he 
offers to help Luna find her lost belongings during the end of term 
feast, he is not "playing the hero" at this point--he is just 
offering to help a (really geeky) friend.  That is the Harry that I 
love--brave, loyal and kind.  I think that he will learn to deal with 
his ego in time.

Elle