How dim is Harry?

[melclaros]

No: HPFGUIDX 98436

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, AnitaKH <anita_hillin at y...> 
wrote:
> akh: At the risk of veering OT, I have a family story that helps 
make Harry's apparently unnatural lack of curiosity ring authentic 
for me.  My mother was always told her name was taken from a novel 
her mother was reading while pregnant.  I asked Mom what novel that 
was, and she had NO IDEA.  She wasn't even curious about the title!  
And I believe my grandmother was still alive when I asked the 
question.  Now, if my mother had chosen to name me after the herione 
of a novel, I would most certainly want to know the title of the 
novel and read it, probably several times!



Mel, following OT and promising to leave it here adds:
Now here we have the crux of the problem. MY mother was ALSO named 
after a character in a novel which her mother was reading during 
her 'confinement'. She, however, DOES know the name of the 
Novel: 'Stella Dallas'. Her name is Laurel, BTW.
So I suppose I can't help it. Inquiring minds run in my family.


>Anita: 
> Rowling has chosen to create a character who is like my mother 
(not deliberately, of course).  If it's not directly affecting 
Harry's life, he accepts the explanation he's received and leaves it 
at that.  It may be frustrating, but it's not unbelievable.


Mel again:
Well I disagree in that I believe it IS effecting his life, not 
HUGELY, but there are areas in which knowing more of his heritage 
would help ease things along for him for sure. I agree with the 
point of the person who said the reason Harry is unquestioning is 
less because he's, well, unquestioning himself, then that JKR can't 
afford for US to know. I ALSO agree with the idea that it has gone 
on way too long and is becoming unbelievable. The "beaten down!
Harry" is gone. It worked when he was 11. It worked, but less so, 
when he was 12. But he's 16 now and has shown us he can face-down 
the Dursleys and ask questions. He MUST start showing some interest 
now.



Mel