Turning Point? (was Re: Dumbledore the General)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 124361


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "whizbang" <whizbang121 at y...> wrote:
> 
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "nkafkafi" <nkafkafi at y...> wrote:
> 
> 
<SNIP>
> 
> I think you're right about Harry not having any adults to turn to.  
> 
> This is the last paragraph of OotP. 
> 
>    "Harry nodded. He somehow could not find words to tell them
>    what it    meant to him, to see them all ranged there, on 
>    his side. Instead, he smiled, raised a hand in farewell,
>    turned around and led the way out of the station towards 
>    the sunlit street, with Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley
>    hurrying along in his wake."
> 
> What I see is Harry realizing that he has a great deal of support, and
>  as he turns and leads the way, he shoulders the burden of leadership.
>  It's at this point, that we see Harry take his place as the alpha
> male, leader of the band.  And his friends are committed to supporting
> him.

Errr, I'm sorry, but your theory about Harry not having any adults to
turn to is totally contradicted by the quote and your explanation of
it.  If he has all these wonderful adults supporting him how can he
not have an adult to turn to?  

Neri is implying that Harry will totally isolate himself.  THAT would
mean not having an adult to turn to.  Assuming some sort of leadership
role DOES NOT imply that Harry couldn't turn to one or the other of
the adults.  In fact, turning to them and accepting their support
would be crucial for his leadership to be successful.

Now, if you're saying he can't rely on the adults to fix his problems
for him, that's true.  But that isn't saying much.  No teenager can
rely on an adult to fix their problems.  Most teenagers can turn to
adults for support while dealing with their problems however.  This is
something that Harry has not really been able to do.  If OOTP changes
that, so much for the better.

Lupinlore