How dim is Harry? - Abuse and Oppression.

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 98413

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboy_mn at y...> wrote:
> 
> It's true that Harry doesn't ask because JKR doesn't want us to know
> yet, but the more important factor, the factor I am trying to point
> out to people who say 'I would do this' and 'I would do that', is
> that, if you carefully look at Harry's character, you will find that
> his not asking is completely IN CHARACTER. Completely justifiable and
> reasonable given his history. 
> 
> It would be out of character for us not to ask, but I say again, that
> it is completely and logically IN character for Harry not to ask.


Nope. Can't agree.
Not unless you characterise Harry as a brain-washed, repressed,
unimaginative dolt.

The  Dursleys told him that his parents had died in a car crash;
why would he question that? Sounds feasible, if tragic. He then
finds out, at the same time that an escape hatch from the
stifling world of Privet Drive opens, that this was not true. Not
only  that, but  that he is famous, that everybody knows his
name and that Hagrid, his rescuer, has a very different story
to tell, that he is mentioned in the history books, for goodness
sake. 

If he has any imagination at all then he will have wondered
about his parents. The  Dursleys may not cooperate, may tell
him not to ask questions but that won't stop the thoughts.
And suddenly his is transported to a place where the answers
can be found. Not to ask, not to look in the books may be a
useful plot device but it is not believable.

DD may want to keep  it from him but it'd be ridiculous to
assume that DD has blanked, censored or hexed every book
in the WW just to stop Harry from learning the truth too soon.
And the number of people who could answer at least *some* of
his questions includes a majority of the adults in the books; DD, 
Lupin, Moody, Arthur, Molly, Snape, McGonagall, and of course
Sirius, his surrogate parent. 

The sargeantmajorette, delving into her eventful past, suggests
that Harry won't ask Hermione because she's only a girl, and 
boys don't listen to girls. Hmm. Maybe, but normally Hermione
doesn't wait to be asked. Even so it's obvious when he overhears
the Weasleys talking on the platform (in PS/SS) that the whole
damn brood know more about him than he knows himself. Has
he ever broached the subject with Ron? No. Molly doesn't tell
them not to answer questions, only that they shouldn't ask any.

But does he ask? No. Not even a question about his family after
sitting for hours in front of the Mirror gazing at them. Not a
question after Hagrid presents him with a photograph album
featuring his parents (and possibly others). To anyone with
the brains of a doorstop this  is an invitation to ask questions
-"Who is this? When was this taken? What's this one about?"
He's been given a pictorial commentary on his parents and
he doesn't ask? Ridiculous.

It's not a question of what you or I would do, it's a question
of what anyone with a pulse would do. They'd ask.

Kneasy