There are so many characters in J K Rowling’s Harry Potter universe. All have their legions of fans. Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Sirius Black, Luna Lovegood, Remus Lupin and Draco Malfoy seem to be particular favourites with many people. But how about Harry himself?
We see most of the stories from Harry’s point of view. His experiences are our gateway into the wizarding world. He’s the character we’re closest to and the one we’re supposed to empathise with. While he’s not outstandingly clever or memorably eccentric, ‘the boy who lived’ has many good qualities: courage, loyalty, a strong sense of justice, curiosity, a sense of humour and modesty. Sometimes he has a tendency to anger and he can be a little judgemental. Well, he’s human. The point is, he’s an ordinary person to whom extraordinary things happen. He’s not perfect in any way. It can be difficult now to separate our concept of Harry from his portrayal in the films or in various artwork. He’s a brand, a moneymaking machine, a Halloween costume. Separate all of that from the original character in the books and you’ll find that he’s easier to like.
I think Harry is a great character. He stands for a lot of the right things, and is heroic even though he makes some mistakes and rash decisions along the way.
Agreed! He’s never top of ‘favourite HP character’ polls for some reason but he has always been my favourite ☺
Are you on the HP train too? I don’t think I’ll ever be ahahaa Not sure if I’ll ever read the series.. 😅Lovely post, NS!
I grew up with these books, Jee – I have read them several times! Maybe if they were published today I wouldn’t get into them because I rarely read children’s books, but back then I was the same age as the characters! I realise not everyone has read the books 😉 x
I love reading children’s books but somehow just couldn’t bring myself to read HP I don’t know why. But my sis loved it when it first came out and read the first few not sure which ones. Don’t think she’s following the series though 😅
When the books first became popular, I was sceptical, but then my mum bought the trilogy (as it was then) and I got hooked 😉
Solely based on the movies, I totally agree with you. I have yet to read the books to know if the character is any different but it’s how a normal kid becomes this whole chosen one prodigy and doesn’t necessarily make it seem like it was an easy way to the top is why he’s such an intriguing character. Great post! 😀
Thank you! ☺ I would say the character is the same in the movies but obviously Daniel Radcliffe made the role his own so I think he plays Harry a little quirkier than in the books. I like the ‘reluctant chosen one’ concept too.
Interesting. I never read Harry Potter when I was younger. I still haven’t, but seeing the movies got me keen to read the books. It’ll be interesting for me to see what the books are really like, but I can’t help but have the images of the movies in my head☺️☺️
That’s true, reading the books will bring up the films in your head. Oddly I think of the books and films as separate. Maybe you could try the 1st book 😉
I will do, definitely have it on my tbr, just need to get through a whole pile (mountain) of books I was recently given by and promised to review for publishers first, lol
It’s never ending isn’t it?!
Lol, yes. But I’m not complaining 😀 😀 😀