Harry Ain't Perfect, but he IS a Good Person/The Series has Morality

[nitalynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 173481

I enjoy good stories with all sorts of protagonists - rough and
ruthless vigilantes, humble and compassionate orphans, morally
flexible tricksters... But I want the author to treat each of those
types accordingly, and not try to have it both ways.

I had no problem with Harry in OotP. He had emotional issues, he made
mistakes, and he suffered the consequences. That's something I can
sympathize with and possibly learn from. I expected Harry to learn and
grow up a bit, too.

But, while reading DH, I kept getting this unpleasant impression that
the author was telling me "Harry is not just a good guy, he's a Good
guy", while showing him doing more questionable stuff. And I didn't
like that. A character can be like Rambo or like Jesus, but switching
between the two modes at the author's convenience leaves me rather
annoyed and unsympathetic.

Half of Rowling's good messages don't work for me because she
undermines them for the sake of saving the hero from moral trouble.
Harry makes a questionable deal with someone who went through torture
to help him, and - nothing, because the goblin never finds out. The
Trio have a terrible row in the middle of their Very Important
Mission, Ron leaves, and - nothing, because DD apparently has foreseen
it. Harry wants to confront and punish Snape at the first opportunity,
and - nothing, because Voldie gets him first. And McGonagall praises
his gallant impulse to torture... Um, yay?

I've concluded that I wouldn't want *any* of the central "good"
characters in my life. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore and Lily all
seem rather more self-righteous and mean-spirited than most friends
I've had. And that makes the whole story and its world rather bleak
for me.


Nita