a boy in search of a father
dzeytoun
dzeytoun at cox.net
Sun Jul 4 03:16:47 UTC 2004
No: HPFGUIDX 104231
>
> Jen: From a purely psychological view, Harry seems to be working
out
> his need for a father-figure with several different men in the
> series, each one helping him develop a different aspect of his
> character.
True. But there is still something missing, a key ingredient if you
will, to help all of these things gel. A father figure for Harry
might well not be able to help him with all his problems (what father
can do that for his son, after all?) but still could provide the
crucial point of balance, the emotional touchstone Harry has been
lacking. I think the tragedy in the death of Sirius is that Harry
had begun to regard Sirius as that touchstone.
Arya is quite right that 16 is not an age when most young men feel
the need for a father. But what is wanted and what is needed are
often not the same thing. Harry has entered a crucial period, and
the lack of emotional support and resources could/would make it that
much more difficult.
So, who could provide that support? Various polls I've seen in other
groups seem pretty evenly split between Dumbledore and Lupin.
Perhaps Harry will, in the end, grow closer to both of them.
Although Harry could continue to do without such support, and might
well reject support if it was offered; it would be tragic, and
difficult to read, if he HAS to do without it.
Dzeytoun
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