How important is Hagrid?

[sartoris22]

No: HPFGUIDX 186726

Generally, I think Hagrid's main role is as a connection between the civilisation (symbolized by Hogwarts) and the wildness (symbolized by the Forbidden Forest). Both his ancestry (part human, part magical creature) and his home (a hut right between Hogwarts and the Forest) hint to that. 

sartoris22:

I agree. Hagrid is an important transition figure. He is the first person from the wizard world who we see have meaningful contact with Harry. And the importance of that initial contact, in my opinion, should not be diminished. Harry is esentially an orphan living in a cupboard in the home of horrible relatives. Hagrid enters the scene and almost immediately gives Harry affection and hope. And who could ask for a better protector, despite Hagrid's occasional bumbling? Hagrid would clearly die for Harry, and he must have incredible qualities, if Dumnbledore, arguably the smartest and most skilled wizard, entrusts him to deliver the most important wizard in the world to Hogwarts. I think, in a strange way, Hagrid serves as Haryy's first parental figure, both mother and father. In their first meeting, Hagrid breaks down a door to rescue Harry and brings Harry a birthday cake that he baked himself. And Hagrid's representation of three contingents--muggle,wizard, and magical creature--is, I think, a symbol of an important idea in the book--acceptance and unity. Hagrid also represents self acceptance. Many of the charcters in the novel struggle to accept their background and how it effects their present--Voldemort, Neville, Draco, and Lupin are only a few examples. Hagrid never laments his background, in fact he wants to find the mother who deserted him and eagerly embraces his wild giant half-brother. Hagrid, in some ways, represents the hope of a better world, and if he is a "secondary" character, he is a very essential one.