Blog #3 - Conflict and Conflict Resolution

Harry's main conflict in this book seems to be feeling loved and accepted. 

Near the beginning of the story, Harry's conflict first arises during his time living with the Dursleys. 

The Dursleys treated Harry poorly, and were unhappy with him; he was given frequent punishments for things that weren't entirely his fault. 

When Harry left the Dursleys and moved to Hogwarts, his problem seemed to have dissolved. In this new world, Harry is recognized as a different identity, as if he morphed into a whole different person. (Harry is the sole person that Voldemort couldn't kill, and he is famous because of it)

Due to Harry's new identity, he really felt loved and accepted by everyone who's ever heard of him. Which is basically everyone at Hogwarts. Also, his story of fame led people to expect extraordinary things of him. 

For the first part of the semester, Harry meets most of these expectations and does great things, of course. However, near the end of the semester, Harry makes one huge mistake and his whole reputation plummets to rock bottom. He had been caught sneaking around the school at night, and was given a punishment so severe that it would not only scar his reputation, but also effect his schoolmates, causing them to grow hate for Harry.

Harry's old demon had came back to haunt him, and he didn't know what he could do to regain the love and trust of his schoolmates.

 Harry eventually solves a much bigger problem; stopping Voldemort from becoming stronger. 

By stopping evil, Harry regains his better reputation, and everyone loves and praises him again, truly recognizing him as the hero he was meant to be.

Harry both caused and solved his problems through his own actions. 

-Question: When everything goes wrong, how would you act?

 

Blog #2: Character Analysis - Harry Potter

From reading the book, it appears that Harry Potter lives in a situation similar to that of an orphan.

His parents were killed, he was taken in by caretakers that didn't want to actually take care of him, and he felt as if he was too different or didn't belong.

Harry was treated poorly by his foster parents, the Dursleys. They made him feel alienated, not being allowed to do the things other people (like their legitimate son) could do...Did I forget to mention that he sleeps in a closet under a staircase?

He could make magic happen whenever he was scared or angry, without even knowing it.

Harry had a low self-esteem, and the Dursleys constantly demanded things from him. He was like a servant to them. 

However, that all changes when he goes to Hogwarts. At Hogwarts, Harry Potter is introduced to new people that later become his friends. These friends would be his new family; and Hogwarts would be his new home.

In this new world, Harry's new life, he feels as if he actually has a place that he belongs, and is loved and cared for.

His new life was definitely made better than his old life; and it had occurred to him so suddenly too. As if he had no control whether all of this would happen or not.

-Question: Do you think it's a good or bad thing to be different from the norm? Please reason with your statement.