The relationship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione is truly a
unique relationship not only within the book, but when compared to
relationships which we encounter in everyday life. Hermione is clearly the
brains of their trio considering she is the top of their class and is constantly
reading and working ahead. When the three of them meet on the train Hermione
remarks, “I’ve tried a few simple spells just for practice and it’s all worked
for me…I’ve learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it
will be enough” (105). This dedication and idolizing of intelligence by Hermione
serves to portray her clear insecurities regarding failure and not measuring up
to those around her. Hermione is clearly smarter than Ron and Harry when it
comes to their classes, but Harry and Ron serve to balance her book smarts with
their own strengths. Ron is often seen simply as the comedic relief within the
trio, but it is also important to acknowledge his in-depth knowledge regarding
the wizarding world. Harry and Hermione both grew up in the muggle world, and thus
start school at Hogwarts with a disadvantage. Harry voices this worry to Ron,
saying, “I’ve got loads to learn…I bet…I bet I’m the worst in the class” (100).
Ron comes into Hogwarts, and his friendship with Harry and Hermione, knowing so
much about the wizarding world that he doesn’t even realize how special and useful
it can be, such as his knowledge about everyday things like, moving portraits,
quidditch, wizard chess, the Daily Prophet, and so much more. Harry also serves
to balance Hermione and Ron’s knowledge with his constant desire to be good.
Throughout the novel Harry is modest about his achievements, not understanding
why wizards are honored to meet him in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry is brave and
kind, trying to help Hagrid and all those around him even when it may get him
in trouble, or when he may get nothing in return.
At the end of the novel it
becomes most clear why Harry, Ron, and Hermione are balanced as characters in
the way they are. Ron’s knowledge of the wizarding world helps them to get
through the giant chess game, while Hermione’s cleverness saves them from the
Devil’s Snare, as well as helping them to choose the right potions. In the end
Harry’s bravery and dedication to doing what is right, even though it is not
his responsibility, allows him to confront Quirrel and Voldemort, and to come
out victorious. If any of the three of them had attempted to do this alone they
would have failed, but together their strengths and weaknesses balance out, and
they form one whole team.
Emma Bley asserts that Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter all have unique strengths that, when combined, make them an unstoppable trio. Hermione’s intelligence and ability to learn and maintain any material, Ron’s knowledge of the wizarding world, and Harry’s bravery all make them assets to overcoming the obstacles they face. At the end of the novel, Dumbledore rewards each of the three for their strengths exhibited in protecting the Sorcerer’s Stone. Dumbledore awards one hundred points to Gryffindor, fifty to Ron for “the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years” and fifty to Hermione for “the use of cool logic in the face of fire” (305). However, Dumbledore awards sixty points to Harry for “pure nerve and outstanding courage,” which ties Gryffindor with Slytherin in the race for the house cup (306). In a twist of events, Dumbledore gives 10 more points to Neville Longbottom, an unlikely hero, because “it takes a great deal of courage to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends,” causing Gryffindor to win (306). The tying of Gryffindor and Slytherin due to Harry’s bravery and the eventual victory of Gryffindor as a result of Neville’s unique display of bravery indicate the importance of courageousness. While it is true that Rowling portrays Hermione, Ron, and Harry’s strengths as all necessary to overcoming obstacles, the victory of Gryffindor over Slytherin, carefully constructed by Dumbledore to emphasize Harry and Neville’s actions, reveals the importance of bravery over any other strength.
ReplyDeleteLauren Jines
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter's plotline relies heavily on good vs. evil storylines. Throughout the series, the entire Wizarding world is struggling to keep dark forces like Voldemort in check. Magic is a wonderful thing, but it can be manipulated for evil too. (Shocker!) In the decade since Harry's parents' death, Voldemort and his followers have been laying low. However, there are dark stirrings as soon as Harry steps foot into this new world.
In fact, Harry has been keeping the balance between good and evil since he was a baby. Professor McGonagall says of Voldemort, "That's not all. They're saying he tried to kill the Potter's son, Harry. But – he couldn't. He couldn't kill that little boy. No one knows why, or how, but they're saying that when he couldn't kill Harry Potter, Voldemort's power somehow broke – and that's why he's gone" (12). Harry doesn't know it yet, but the very reason he is alive is because his mother's strong love blocked Voldemort's attack against him. Even though his parents were killed, good triumphed over evil in that infamous night.
Harry's first trip through Diagon Alley is very surreal. Everyone knows who he is, which is very jarring. He is inherently connected to Voldemort no matter what he does. Ollivander is one of the strange characters that he meets in the wand shop, who reminisces about his interaction with a young Voldemort. "I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it," he said softly. "Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands…well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do…." (81). He is very troubled, as many people are when they think about Voldemort. Harry has yet to experience how terrifying this Dark wizard can be, but many people are filling him in on what he's missed in 11 years.
It quickly becomes evident to Harry that this world is not always safe and sparkling as one might think a magical place would be. Hagrid introduces Gringotts as "the safest place in the world fear anything yeh want ter keep safe -- 'kept maybe Hogwarts" (65). One of the first hints that there are dangerous people in the Wizarding world is shown in this poem in Gringotts: "Enter, stranger, but take heed, Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn, So if you seek beneath our floors, A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware, Of finding more than treasure there" (72). Before he even steps foot into Hogwarts, Harry learns that using magic for bad purposes has consequences. It is a privilege to have this power, but it must be used wisely. This is just the first step in this series which chronicles battles between good and evil.
The Golden Trio exemplifies how teamwork is stronger than individualism. Take Voldemort as a example. He worked alone to try and conquer the wizarding world, but failed because he did not have anyone to trust wholeheartedly. He saw everyone as expendable and used fear as his power. On the other hand, Harry Potter had the support of his friends, Ron and Hermione, to conquer Voldemort in the last scenario. Harry learns how valuable his friendship is with Ron and Hermione when he receives help from them without asking. Harry is taken aback when Ron asks if the invisibility cloak "will cover all three of them" and that Harry "didn't think they would let him go alone" (271). Hermione continues Ron's point by asking Harry "How does he think he'd get to the Stone without them" (271). Harry understands his friendship with Ron and Hermione is priceless, that without it, he would not have been able to get through the trapdoor's defenses and defeat Quirrell.
ReplyDeleteI think that one of the more interesting parts of this trio's relationship is the tension between the grouping from the get-go. On the train to Hogwarts is when Harry and Ron meet Hermione for the first time and, at first, they can't really stand her. "Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it," Ron says, after their first interaction (106). They immediately get off on the wrong foot, because each of the characters show their major flaw. Hermione is a bit of a know-it-all and is condescending. Ron is really raw and stubborn. And, Harry is oblivious to almost everything. Their meeting on the train shows each of these traits and is why they repel like magnets. This goes on for quite a while and it's only due to a troll that Ron and Harry feel any sympathy towards Hermione. Just like how they sometimes bring out negative traits in each other, at their best, they each elicit the best of one another. Hermione is mischievous and smart with her quick-thinking lie about taking down the troll. Harry is a leader forcing Ron to help him save the girl. Finally, Ron is brave doing something he never would have done without the support. One of the reasons I enjoy these books so much is because nothing ever feels like the characters are doing something strictly for plot development. Every action feels like the proper reaction to something else. JK Rowling did the miraculous. She made three kids that never would have acknowledged each other in most situations become friends, and it feels believable.
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