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The Harry Potter book series, one of the most popular series of books for children within the last twenty years has influenced children and adults all over the world. There are however those who criticize the books from every walk of life and accuse the book series of many things. Some of the more moronic include teaching kids Satanism, witchcraft and other things. Off course the literary devices such as magic make the book more appealing to children because as kids we are fascinated with magic and things of magic. But that is alittle off topic. The character Harry Potter is probably one of the most heavily criticized characters in literature. Some feel that he is not a traditional good guy and many feel he falls into a grey area of what a hero is supposed to be.

Heres how I feel about Harry Potter the character. Hero's come in all shapes and sizes from Yoda "size matters not", to Achilles in The Illiad. But what sets Harry Potter apart from these characters is that Harry is more human than either one of them. Harry carries all the distinct flaws that humanity is prone to, from jealousy and anger to hatred. These things are magnified by Harry's lack of experience because he is a young adult trying to figure out his way in the world. Harry is full of uncertainty, he is uncertain that he can defeat Voldemort, he is uncertain that he can protect his friends and he is uncertain that he can live up to the expectation of him. Harry sometimes doesn't really know what choices he has to make and how they will effect him and those around him.

Harry spends most of the early parts of the series trying to figure out who he is, which frequently puts him at odds with various enemies like Voldemort or the Dementors. But each time he rises to meet the occasion and defeats his enemies while fighting for those he cares about. As a young adult life isn't easy, your body changes and things in this world become stranger than you thought they were. Things are never as they appear to be. Harry experiences this and we as the readers experience it too.

In the final three books, Harry's role becomes more crucial, he learns that he is the only one who can defeat Voldemort and that he will eventually have to confront him. He has his doubts that he can do so, he feels that maybe he doesn't have the experience needed to do so. He is relucant to make the choice, I mean I doubt anyone placed into a similar situation would do the same. Harry has to kill Voldemort, and he doesn't want to. Harry is a kind person who wouldn't take a life but he comes to the conclusion that it's either he kills Voldemort or else Voldemort will continue on his rampage.

In the final book, many things are revealed to Harry. He learns of things that he didn't know before, and as he marches to confront Voldemort he is scared. He doesn't know whether he can do it but then he thinks about all those he has to protect and this gives him strength. Harry's selflessness allows him to defeat Voldemort. Whereas Voldemort is a murderer who doesn't care about anyone and has nothing to lose. Harry does, he has already lost his parents, his godfather and many others during the Battle for Hogwarts, he is determined not to allow anymore to die. He accepts his fate and realizes it is the only way. Eventually of course Harry's self-sacrifice allows him to protect those he loves. He through his love for his friends is able to defeat Voldemort.

I think the biggest reason people criticize Harry Potter beyond the witchcraft and other things is that Harry like us is a flawed human. Harry forces us to confront parts of ourselves that we would rather not address. Those that criticize it have a few of the world that is distorted. You are either good or evil and everything is black and white. Harry shows us that life isn't divided like that. Harry in the end has to navigate his way through the grey areas by making tough choices that ultimately lead him on the right path. Harry makes us feel all to human when many of us would rather not feel these things at all. These aren't things to be shunned, they are to be embraced. Harry is a relucant hero, he stumbles along unsure what to do and unsure in himself. But he finds his confidence in himself and makes the sacrifice for his friends not because he is a coward or someone who is obsessed with being a hero, he makes the decision because it is the right thing to do. This is why no one criticizes these books will ever understand. So what do you think?

How long did it take you to type and come up with that? Lol.

Anyways, I agree with alot of what was said in that long post.

Good analysis, thank you very much!