[HPforGrownups] Re: Why should Harry save the WW? (Was: McG / DD / ...)

[Patrick Jarrett]

No: HPFGUIDX 123168

> > Alla:
> >
> > >Same question. Why does Harry have a duty to save WW? I am not
> > >talking about metathinking look at all - because Harry is the hero
> > >of the story, etc. I am asking why Harry who does not know that he
> > >is the main character in the books has a duty to save WW, who ,
> IMO
> > >treats him quite horribly from times to times.

Patrick sayeth: 
If this were the 1940s and you found out you were the only person who
could defeat Hitler, would you?

You may not directly have anything to gain from it, and granted he
probably wasn't out to kill you directly, but if you lived in Europe
you would be in his way and suffer the consequences. Could any of us,
with a clear conscience, decide not to save the world if we knew we
were the only ones who could do it? Perhaps a handful would turn it
down and leave the world to fend for themselves.

Yes, his life is in immediate danger because of it but if I was forced
to pick to save the world and possibly lose my life or save my own
life for a short while with no guarantee I would be safe forever, I'd
probably pick the first option. I'd like to think I would at least.

And Harry has. Though JKR hasn't shown us any thought of running away
in his mind (he is a Gryffindor of course) I suspect it might have
fleetingly crossed it and been dismissed, but as the danger arises I
predict we'll see some internal conflict along those lines.

So, that's my 2 cents.

-- Patrick