Harry had to fail - Harry's Tragic Flaws

[jenzajlp]

No: HPFGUIDX 130834

Lupinlore wrote:
> Actually, I rather doubt that JKR intends to turn the saga into a 
> pure tragedy, much less a classic tragedy.  She doesn't strike me 
>as that kind of author.  Which is not to say there won't continue to 
>be tragic elements.  But I doubt we will have a mass killing as 
> in "Hamlet" or an attack of Furies as in the "Orestia" -- and I 
> seriously doubt that Harry will symbolically castrate himself in 
> grief over his sins, as Oedipus does by blinding himself 
in "Oedipus" 


Jenza replied:
Oh dear, I didn't mean to make it sound all that bad.  Perhaps 
comparing it to a traditional tragedy was not the best way to explain 
myself.  I was speaking very generally from my limited knowledge of 
the definition of a (Greek) tragedy wherein:  A hero's tragic flaws 
lead to his/her downfall.  My point with the HP series is that I 
think Harry's flaws (which do make him more realistic and human, but 
are still indeed flaws)will lead to a downfall of sorts.  I think 
that these flaws will be the catalyst for Some Undisclosed Bad Thing 
to happen.  However, JKR, not being a 'tragic author' will give Harry 
a chance to redeem himself - He will be forced to recognize his flaws 
and work to overcome all or some of them in order to 1. heal and 2. 
defeat Voldemort.