Harry's emotional scars (was: In Defense of DD)

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 126717


Siriusly Snapey Susan: "So I guess that's a long way of saying, along
with John, that I'd be  interested in knowing these examples of many
deep emotional scars in  Harry"

Lupinlore: "I think that we are dealing with different perceptions of
what is and is not pathological behavior (or evidence of emotional
distress, if you prefer a less clinical term)."

Indeed.  "Deep emotional scars" suggests a settled pathology, a
fundamental trauma in Harry left by the Dursleys.  The resilience that
Harry shows, his ability to make friends, his compassion, his
leadership qualities, his assumption of obligations and duties to a
larger world belie the notion that this is a troubled kid.  Would that
more kids were like him.

If we're discussing the notion that the Dursley experience influenced
Harry, I'm with you. Some part of Harry's tendency not to go to adults
when he'd be smart to do so probably belongs to his time at Privet
Drive, where going to adults was useless or worse.  But does this
prove a "deep emotional scar?"  Maybe it's semantics, but I'd call it
a bad habit Harry would do well to change.

Here's the distinction to me: I predict that in HBP Harry will unlearn
that habit.  I've believed since OoP that Harry and Dumbledore will
work more closely together than ever (the covers hint at it).  I
believe Harry's resentment against Dumbledore will heal. Harry's
mental state will be much, much better than it was in OoP.  What we
saw was, I believe, the product of the stress Harry was under;
rejected by his schoolmates, held to ridicule and worse in the wizard
world, persecuted by Umbridge, reviled by Snape. Now almost all of
that is gone.  If Harry bore deep emotional scars from the Dursleys,
shaking it off wouldn't be so easy.  July we'll know.

Jim Ferer