[HPforGrownups] Re: "Some won't like it"

[heather the buzzard]

No: HPFGUIDX 129811

Lupinlore wrote:
>>I suspect that JKR was taken aback by the deep dislike many fans expressed toward Angry!Harry in OOTP.  Indeed, it is the main complaint one reads on fan sites about OOTP.  
>>    
>>
>>
>>BG writes:
>>I for one do not understand why so many are surprised at Harry acting 
>>like a teenage boy - HE IS ONE.  His character would not be believable 
>>any other way either by teens or by adults.  Teen readers identify 
>>with him and his feelings.  
>>    
>>
>>I hope she keeps the angry, questioning, moody yet - loyal and kind 
>>Harry.  He is afterall only 16 in this next book.  14 - 17 were my 
>>kids most explosive years.  According to JKR Harry has much more 
>>hardships and challenges in store for him so things are not going to 
>>ease up on him.  
>>

I'm going to jump in here with my first post -- so excited to find this 
list! 

Anyway.  I too am surprised that many people would have a problem with 
Angry!Harry.  Well, I understand it -- my own husband doesn't like it, 
he's a very sensitive sort and all that negativity is difficult for him 
to read.  But I love it.

If Harry were sailing through all these hardships... from learning his 
parents were murdered, to dealing with fame, to dealing with infamy... 
being shunned by peers, accused of evil doings, accused of madness, 
accused of being an attention-seeker... to being physically attacked on 
numerous occasions, to being emotionally attacked... to finally find the 
joy of a happy family father-figure, to having it brutally and unjustly 
ripped from under him before the relationship even really had a chance 
to get started... to learning that his idolized parents might not have 
been so perfect as he believed... to being ignored by the one authority 
figure he depended on the most (Dumbledore)... to being *psychically* 
attacked by the greatest dark wizard ever known...

I mean, if he were all bright and chipper and positive through all that, 
this wouldn't be a great adventure or coming-of-age story.  It would 
just be a cartoon.  I really and totally appreciate that she is brave 
enough to take us down this dark road.  Harry has been thrown a whole 
lot of garbage in his life, and he will have to face his demons.

I also think it's possible that the connection between Harry and 
Voldemort, especially strong in OOTP, is contributing to his being prone 
to anger, negativity, and longing for glory.  Voldemort gave part of 
himself to Harry that night in GH... part of his power (eg parseltongue) 
and part of his self.  Harry does have something that Voldemort never 
had, as Dumbledore tells him in the Ministry, which we presume to be 
love or something along those lines, which will keep the Voldemort-side 
of Harry's personality from gaining control.  But with Voldemort in 
actual contact with him, this side of him was strengthened.  And I don't 
think it's finished yet.

I think this exchange of personalities goes both ways.  When Harry told 
Dumbledore that Voldemort had used Harry's blood in his resurrection 
magic, he thought he saw a glimpse of triumph in Dumbledore's 
expression.  This hasn't been mentioned again... there's been no 
explanation yet as to WHY this would be important to Dumbledore.  It has 
the unfortunate effect that Voldemort CAN now harm Harry, but I suspect 
it will also mean that some of Harry's strengths (love, loyalty, 
compassion) will have transfered to Voldemort, and will subtly interfere 
with his powers, in effect weakening him.

heather the buzzard