This book being the final book in the series, all of my perceptions of the characters and the ideas in this book are pretty solid. But rereading this book made me wonder: How much of our perceptions of really come from us? How does reading this book in Harry’s point of view make us view things differently from how we would normally view them?
For example, Draco Malfoy is a very commonly hated character throughout the entire series. I know that I have hated him since the very beginning. But as I continued to reread this book, my thoughts of him have started to change. In the very first chapter of the book, when you are not seeing things through Harry’s eyes, Draco comes off as a very feeble character in need of help. I almost feel bad for him. But a still hold something against him for what he did in the past books. On the other hand, though, his actual actions that resulted from bad influences, compared to what he has had to face, his past actions don’t seem to look that bad after all.
I also believe that we look upon Harry in somewhat of a glorified way since we read the book through Harry’s eyes. Harry can get somewhat conceited over being the “chosen one”. For example, when Ron and Hermione suggest that Harry should stay home since he is under so much danger, he just replies with “Fine, I’ll stay here. Let me know if you ever defeat Voldemort, won’t you?” (page 231). I find this to be arrogant, like Ron and Hermione wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything without him.
In the end, I just think it would be really cool to read this series through another characters’ point of view, like Draco Malfoy’s, or maybe even Snape’s. I think it would change my perception of most of the characters and ideas in this book quite drastically.
I wholeheartedly agree. Often main characters are idolized, because things are told from their point of view. Mean characters often become one dimensional in most stories. Bad writing can mean stereotypical "bad" characters. What people often don't see is that all characters are multi-faceted.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true. Harry would probably be the same through Malfoy's eyes as he was through Harry's. And I totally agree with Harry being conceited about being the Chosen One. You don't see it, though, until the last book, when Harry is more overwhelmed by the pressure of defeating Voldemort. I wonder why he didn't start being like that earlier? WOuld it have made him more interesting, or would it make people hate him?
ReplyDelete(Sophie Walker 806)
Excellent response! But I must say that I disagree. Yes, Harry is glorified because he is the main character, but aren't all main characters biased? This doesn't necessarily make him arrogant, but human. On some level, all people must idolize themselves at one point or another. It's normal. Considering everything that Harry has been through, I think he has done a good job not being conceited because he is the "Chosen One."
ReplyDeleteI also think that characters are always trying to pin it on him, as if he wears it as a badge of honor. Harry doesn't think he's superior to everyone else because he's the "Chosen One." He believes that it is up to him to be the one to defeat Voldemort.
I agree that that everything is different from different perspectives and that makes total sense. But I have to say that Harry isn't self centered. A role to save the entire world was given to him at the age of eleven and he sort has to assume that he is important, especially with all of his role models like Sirius Black and Dumbledore telling him that he is.
ReplyDelete@Eleni I agree with you wholeheartedly. I don't believe Harry is arrogant or conceited at all. On the contrary, I believe he has handled being thrust into the spotlight of the wizarding world very nicely by remaining humble despite having lots of reasons to become egotistic.
ReplyDelete@Leah, when Harry tells Ron and Hermione "Fine, I’ll stay here. Let me know if you ever defeat Voldemort, won’t you?", he's not being arrogant. He's laying out the truth. Ron, Hermione, and countless of other people depend on him for their survival. Also, let me remind you this is probably the first time ever Harry has played the Boy-Who-Lived card. He would rather that people forget about all of fame.
Although I do agree with your wish to read the series from another point of view. That would always be great. (I've always wanted to read Tom Riddle's life story, to go more in depth and see what drove him to become Lord Voldemort. Oh well, I guess that's what fanfiction is for!)