'Clue to his vulnerability' (Coming to a conclusion )

[carolynwhite2]

--- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, "Jen Reese" <stevejjen at e...> 
wrote:
> 
> Jen: Lol on the pavers image, but Harry *is* possessed of the 
> adequate light or the story will sink. That's why he seeks the 
> stone, but not to use it, and gains courage from the phoenix song. 
> JKR probably *is* saying Harry's vulnerability or weakness is his 
> inability to read situations correctly, but no matter, he's saved by 
> his untarnished soul at the most critical junctures.
> 

Carolyn:
Jen, pardon the irritated tone after trying day in the office, but what 
*is* this insistance on Harry's 'untarnished soul'??

As you know, I'm a heathen, therefore damned for ever more according to 
the second sight only vouchsafed to the converted, but *really*. What 
we have in these books is a reasonable portrait of a teenager, warts 
and all. The kid has made several (justified IMO) attempts at chucking  
unforgiveables at people he dislikes; he lies frequently (some signs of 
intelligence in the lad); instinctively avoids creeps like Creevey, 
Rita and Lockhart and is not unreasonably confused about Snape, who's 
playing a deep game, hand in hand with DD.

The only incidents I can think you are referring to are is his 
expulsions of Voldie from Quirrell!Mort, and when Voldie possesses him 
at the MoM. Neither of these episodes had anything to do with 
untarnished souls, but in the first case, him suddenly realising that 
he can hurt Quirrell by holding on tight, and in the second case a 
pretty sensible wish to be dead and with his godfather, rather than 
endure the pain he was in at that point. 

Perhaps JKR really does see it this way, that the boy is possessed of 
some extraordinary qualitity of love, vulnerability, whatever that will 
conquer all in the end. Very touching I'm sure. However, the way she's 
written him comes across to me as a good deal more prosaic, and I hope 
she doesn't lose sight of this in the final resolution. 

Carolyn, grumpy.