I find the character of Harry
Potter to be rather interesting because he is unlike others you see in
contemporary young adult fiction. By this I mean that he is extraordinary
without knowing it and doesn’t have to try to make an impression, simply by being
alive he is already better known than any other wizard. This is made clear when
he tells Hagrid, “I’m famous and I can’t even remember what I’m famous for”
(86). He is known as the boy who lived, the one who survived the attack of
Voldemort though he has no recollection of this, as he was only a baby.
Harry is a relatable character in
that he wants to fit in and live up to everyone’s expectations for him, which
is also the way most of us feel in our lives. The difference between Harry and
us is that he doesn’t know why he’s famous or what he needs to live up to
because he doesn’t have any idea who his parents are or what they did. It’s
apparent during his first days at Hogwarts that he has natural gifts like being
able to fly exceptionally well for someone who didn’t know Quidditch existed
prior to his birthday.
As the book progresses it is clear
that everyone at Hogwarts thinks Harry is special and destined for greatness.
This is shown through Dumbledore’s quiet way of helping him by giving him the
invisibility cloak and telling him what the mirror was used for. This book sets
up the other books and that Harry is destined to do great things, even greater than
him defeating Quirrell and stopping the Sorcerer’s Stone from falling into the
wrong hands. While I feel that Harry has a lot of characteristics that depict
him as a normal 11 year old boy who is trying to find his way; the book helps
the reader see him as the hero figure who has talents even he is unaware of. I
cannot imagine being in Harry’s shoes and trying to live up to expectations
that he doesn’t understand, yet he somehow manages to do it by being courageous
and brave no matter what challenge he faces.
Harry does not know that he is a wizard, let alone an extremely famous wizard, at the beginning of the novel. When Harry is living with the Dursleys Harry believes that he is an ordinary kid that sometimes has unexplainable things happen to him, like his hair growing back after a horrendous haircut. It is only after Hagrid tells him that, “Harry - yer a wizard” that Harry feels that he may not be ordinary (50). However, Harry learning that he is a wizard is not enough for Harry to feel like he deserves all the praise heaped on him by the wizarding world. In fact, at first Harry deals with many of the same issues in the wizarding world as one would face in the muggle world. Malfoy makes Harry feel out of place in Madam Malkin’s, and when Harry has to put on the Sorting Hat he is nervous. Harry draws on his experiences in the muggle world of not being chosen for teams, and wonders: “What if he wasn’t chosen at all” by the Sorting Hat for a house (120). This fear of being left out, of not fitting in at a new school, are fears that many kids face in their lifetimes. Harry’s reactions to his situation are those of a normal kid. This gives some familiarity to the strange world that Harry has entered, making an incredible situation seem more plausible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ally that Harry Potter is a unique protagonist because of his unassuming nature. I believe that what makes Harry stand apart from his counterparts in other young adult fiction books is his unwavering determination to do good. In his first moments at Hogwarts, Rowling conveys Harry’s goodness through his evaluation of the houses. The sorting hat is carefully trying to decide which house Harry belongs in. During the consideration each house is brought up in turn, yet harry ignores the others repeating “Not Slytherin, not Slytherin” (Rowling 121). He has only been a part of the Wizarding World for a short time, but he already knows that “not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn’t in Slytherin” and he wanted nothing to do with that (80). Harry is also constantly looking to stand up for those who are bullied, an admirable trait in an eleven year old. When Malfoy was making fun of Neville for his injury during flying lessons, Harry jumps on a broom to avenge him even though Madam Hooch said the repercussion was severe “you’ll be out of Hogwarts before you can say ‘Quidditch’” (147). Although many young boys disregard school rules, Harry always did so in hopes of righting a wrong or answering a potential threat. Through his interactions with his friends as well as his foes, it is easy to see why Harry Potter has appealed to millions of readers for more than a decade.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Harry’s unassuming nature is one of the most interesting (and spectacular) aspects of his character. I think one of the major appeals to Harry is his unadulterated good will. Harry approaches everything with a pure attitude. His first encounter with Draco Malfoy is a defining moment in Harry’s development as a character. Draco balks at Hagrid through a window and says that he is “some sort of savage” (78). Harry is un-phased by Draco’s opinion and replied with unwavering positivity, “I think he’s brilliant.” This openness and willingness to accept people for who they are, give Harry an exceptional ability to stay humble and good throughout the series. He stands up for those who are less fortunate than he is regularly through the book. When he is joined by Ron Weasley on the train, he purchases all the candy he can to share with Ron. This simple but pure act is what makes Harry such a great character. Harry also very publicly defends Neville Longbottom when nobody else does. Draco Malfoy stole his remembrall, and Harry immediately jumped into action to defend the clumsy and helpless Longbottom. He is the most important and famous wizard in the world, but thinks little of himself and thinks everything of others.
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