What did you like about Harry Potter?

[mesmer44]

No: HPFGUIDX 183806

Bruce wrote:
>
> A good question, especially as so many of the comments lately
> have been about what we DISlike about it.



Winterfell replies:

I also thought it was a good question in light of how many comments
lately have been negative.  Some readers forget how amazing a character Harry Potter actually is.  Some readers become upset w/ such things as Harry casting a crucio or Imperio spell in DH.  These readers said it was inconsistent w/ how these spells were portrayed and represented in previous books. I could care less if it was. These are fictional characters, not real ones and not a morality lecture.

One of the things I like most about Harry Potter was him acting in ways contrary to what we'd expect him to if he was a totally consistent character.  I loved him casting the crucio and Imperio spells.  DH was set during a Wizarding War and Harry's casting these spells helped defeat LV in the long run. Did Harry turn into a DE or become a dark wizard because of casting these spells? Of course not.  His overall good and decent character didn't seem corrupted by what he did, and I didn't doubt for a moment that it would.

I also enjoyed Snape's character in the Harry Potter books immensely.  but Snape is one of the most inconsistent characters in modern fiction.  Funny though, his inconsistencies don't seem to bother some readers nearly as much as do those of other characters.  Whether you love or dislike Snape, you can't objectively deny his inconsistencies.  He's a DE, then he isn't. He's a valued member of the OoTP yet he killed it's leader.  He loved Lily yet he treated her son terribly while protecting him from danger.  He could have turned Harry in for using the potion's book, yet he didn't.  And I'm sure all of you can come up with dozens more, as these aren't even the best one's I'd bet.

Hermione is the smartest student probably in Hogwarts, yet at times she lacks common sense and could be ruled by her emotions.  I cheered her hexing Marietta, I laugh when she panics at times and yet comes through with just the right spell to save the day. She's inconsistent, yet I loved her role in the Harry Potter books.

There are lots of inconsistencies in the Harry Potter books. I
mentioned only a few in the short time I've had to write this. But for me at least, they are what I liked most about these books.  JKR has given the literary world characters to read and re-read over again with joy and fondness.  That is one thing that I thing is consistently something for me to look forward to.

Winterfell