[HPforGrownups] Hopes for Harry (was Re: Chapter Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 190264

On Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 10:11 AM, Margaret Fenney <fenneyml at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > > > "omegafold" wrote:
> > > > One thing does disappoint me about Harry. He never seems
> to evolve, he just grows up slowly and aside from trite incursions,
> he lacks any true planning genius and ends up needing rescue from
> friends. It's getting repetitive and predictable.
>
> > > Potioncat:
> > > I don't think you're alone in this; someone else has said the
> same thing in a slightly different way---Severus Snape.
> >
> > > He feels Harry is merely ordinary, who succeeds entirely
> because of incredible good luck and the support of friends.
> > <snip>
> > > I think JKR purposely made him Everyman (is that Geoff's term?)
> --he doesn't succeed because of great skill but because of his
> great character.
>
> > Joey:
> > I'd agree with Potioncat here. While Harry may not have invented
> spells or thinking maps, meeting LV face-to-face twice, when almost
> entire WW refuses to say his name, could have given Harry enough
> food for the drive to prove himself.
> >
> > Yes, this wasn't done by pure individual skill but it was
> certainly done by strength of character. <snip>

You might also think about the fact that Harry's strength of character
is something that can be emulated by readers.  Nobody in our world can
do the kind of magic the wizarding-world characters can do; only some
people are gifted and talented in the ways that allow them to make
great inventions and discoveries.  But anyone can learn how to make
the choice of what is right over what is easy.


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean56 at gmail.com>