Harry's Characterization

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 163474

Steve:
> Consequently, from Harry's internal to the story 
> perspective, he is out of excusses. Now everything falls
> on him. He has lost the last of his great protectors and
> now HE NEEDS TO LEARN TO PROTECT HIMSELF. Up to this 
> point, I can explain away Harry's action, but if he is
> not going full force towards arming himself, then all
> faith in the story will be lost for me. 
> 
> Yes, WE know that love is the answer, and to a limited
> extent, Harry knows it, but how do you arm yourself for
> battle with 'love'? The answer is, you don't. You work
> long and hard to learn how to kick ass. 

Jen: Oops, sorry Steve, I didn't address your major point about 
inside the story vs. outside.  Harry technically should be arming 
himself for battle and learning to protect himself now that he knows 
the last of his greatest protectors is gone.

Part of the reason he doesn't is most of his examples of true power 
aren't magical skills so far, the 'lessons' he's learned the best are 
the intangible ones.  Lily's sacrifice for instance, being about love 
and not magic.  Or learning that his mercy to Peter may help him at 
some point.  Another was understanding his loyalty to Dumbledore 
brought Fawkes to the Chamber or that his love and grief for Sirius 
expelled Voldemort from possessing him. 

In contrast Harry's actual magical skills and those he's seen others 
employ haven't actually worked all that well or rather, Harry 
understands there's a limit.  He sees a show of magical power between 
Dumbledore and Voldemort and yet it wasn't enough in the end, it was 
just that, a show of magical power.  A completely different power 
saved Harry from Voldemort, not Dumbledore's skill--he was at the 
limit of his skill.  

It doesn't seem that out of character to me for Harry not to work 
harder or bone up on strictly magical skills, Dumbledore keeps 
telling him that's not the power he holds.  Harry accepts that 
Horcruxes are the most important thing instead of improving his 
skills because he tends to believe whatever Dumbledore thinks is 
important and DD doesn't stress learning more spells.