Harry Potter
Friday, December 17, 2010 by Amy
So, some things are bothering me about the Harry Potter books as I am re-reading them. I just watched all the movies with Riley and am just starting The Goblet of Fire. So, here it is...
First, Lupin and Sirius never express any sort of remorse over their bullying behavior when they were at Hogwarts, at least as far as I can tell. They are very willing to dismiss it as childish behavior, but that doesn't go very far towards make amends and apologies. They could at least apologize to Harry for how Snape treats him (Harry) as a direct result of the Marauders bullying him.
Second, Harry never acknowledges that his father was a bully (when Snape tells Harry that he is just like his father, strutting around the halls, Harry vehemently says that is father did not strut, which we know is likely not true, and we know with certainty that making such a claim makes Harry look ridiculous). To me, this is a major flaw in the series, as Rowling kills off all of Harry's father figures, saving Mr. Weasley, and kills Hedwig off, intentionally forcing Harry into adulthood. However, I think that one of the major hallmarks of adulthood is to be able to see your parents as people, as flawed as everyone else. You know, the move from subjective to objective. Anyway...
Thirdly, Harry never seems to give anyone presents. His friends give him birthday and Christmas presents but I don't recall Harry ever buying any for them with his "small fortune" in Gringotts. Additionally, Harry sniggered at the presents that the Dursleys gave him (okay, they were over-the-top pathetic) but what did Harry give Dudley for his birthday? Did he ever give any sort of gift, homemade card, anything, to anyone? Further, there is no mention in the book that Harry even knows when Ron and Hermione's birthdays even are!
Of course, I could very well be forgetting events in the books, and will rediscover them in due time, but these are the things that are sticking out to me this time around.
Yes, Avery's birthday pictures. Coming up as soon as I find the camera connector thing. The kids were baiting the cat with it and who knows where it wound up!
First, Lupin and Sirius never express any sort of remorse over their bullying behavior when they were at Hogwarts, at least as far as I can tell. They are very willing to dismiss it as childish behavior, but that doesn't go very far towards make amends and apologies. They could at least apologize to Harry for how Snape treats him (Harry) as a direct result of the Marauders bullying him.
Second, Harry never acknowledges that his father was a bully (when Snape tells Harry that he is just like his father, strutting around the halls, Harry vehemently says that is father did not strut, which we know is likely not true, and we know with certainty that making such a claim makes Harry look ridiculous). To me, this is a major flaw in the series, as Rowling kills off all of Harry's father figures, saving Mr. Weasley, and kills Hedwig off, intentionally forcing Harry into adulthood. However, I think that one of the major hallmarks of adulthood is to be able to see your parents as people, as flawed as everyone else. You know, the move from subjective to objective. Anyway...
Thirdly, Harry never seems to give anyone presents. His friends give him birthday and Christmas presents but I don't recall Harry ever buying any for them with his "small fortune" in Gringotts. Additionally, Harry sniggered at the presents that the Dursleys gave him (okay, they were over-the-top pathetic) but what did Harry give Dudley for his birthday? Did he ever give any sort of gift, homemade card, anything, to anyone? Further, there is no mention in the book that Harry even knows when Ron and Hermione's birthdays even are!
Of course, I could very well be forgetting events in the books, and will rediscover them in due time, but these are the things that are sticking out to me this time around.
Yes, Avery's birthday pictures. Coming up as soon as I find the camera connector thing. The kids were baiting the cat with it and who knows where it wound up!
