Re: Harry’s anger: neither teen angst nor channeling Voldemort

[drjuliehoward]

No: HPFGUIDX 94367

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Doriane" <delwynmarch at y...> 
wrote:
> Neri wrote:
> > I know that many list members, me included, have felt uneasy 
about 
> > Harry's anger in OotP. It wasn't in character, and made him less 
> > likeable than he is in the previous books.
> 
> Del :
> I disagree. What made me uneasy in OoP is that this anger was 
*very 
> much* in character, and it was scary. 

<Major Snipping -- please UP Thread if needed>

In my profession, one of the primary motivations for people in 
therapy is to manage anger.  I listen to the content of what people 
say to understand their stressors and the context of their lives.  
However, I also am listening for the process, the "stuff" that ties 
is all together.  

One of the reasons people experience anger is as a defense against 
vulnerability.  This seems to be one of the reasons for Harry's 
anger.  He has friends for the first time, and while this is greatly 
beneficial, it is also risky emotionally.  When then don't go the 
way he predicts, his vulnerability increases significantly.  
COnsequently, so does his anger.  After all, it is more palatable 
for Harry to think that a friendship is weaker/over because THEY did 
something to make HIM mad, rather than THEM not wanting his 
friendship.  Anger is powerful, and the more anger he expresses, the 
more it keeps people away, the more he protects his vulnerability.  

While this is a common process for most people, Harry's background 
certainly makes him a prime candidate for feelings such as this.  
His fear of abandonment is there...his anger highlights it.

Certainly, Harry feels anger for reasons other than this, but I 
simply wanted to point out this one aspect of anger and how I see it 
being played out in the series.

Julie -- who sincerely hopes I didn't throw to much psychobabble 
into this post and the List Elves will approve