Given that Harry wasn’t raised by his parents (cue audible sob) , it’s surprising that he turned out so well. Most believe in a nature and nurture mix, but Harry seemed to succeed on nature alone. Some may argue that it’s in reaction to such cruelty that he aimed to be better. Harry’s reaction to his upbringing vs Voldermort’s reaction to his own are polar opposites on how it can go for orphans brought up in an unloving home.
Others might mention that he never had to show any of the below values until he went to Hogwarts and met people who treated him well. One things for sure; raised badly or not, Harry lives life like a Gryffindor. Although I stopped myself from naming this a ‘Gryffindor’s guide to life’ because good wizards regardless of house live by a lot of these values, Harry learns a lot of his manners from the house he calls home.
Loyalty & Friendship
One thing that drives Harry and other good wizards is the connections they have in society. Whereas dark wizards often keep their innermost thoughts on, and to, themselves, if an introverted Harry is to share his feelings with anyone, it’s his friends. As Potter grows up, his loyalty expands from just his two best friends to his house, school and indeed the entire world. Risking his life for everyone from Ginny to the fate of the Wizarding World, Harry is loyal to the very end. Friendship is a key theme in the series, from the Marauders to Dumbledore’s Army and beyond. Loyalty is part of that theme and disloyalty is shown to be the worst thing ever through characters like Peter Pettigrew.
Kindness & Empathy
The nice people at Hogwarts often show themselves as kind to not just those they know but to strangers. It’s a ‘what you don’t have we will share’ kind of mantra. One is generally not too fond of scenes added to the movie adaptations but one such exception happens when Professor Umbridge is cruel to smaller students at the school. Fred and George Weasley can be seen consoling one such tiny student after he is made write lines in his own blood by way of a horribly cursed quill. Ron never has much money but he always buys Harry or Hermione a birthday present.
As with most things, Harry shows this particular trait almost to an extreme, when he shows undeserved empathy to Voldemort, and is able to see past Snape’s petty bitterness to deem him a brave man. There’s a quote in the film Victor Frankenstein which may account for this extension of kindness to those who have treated him badly, including his own family the Dursleys – “It’s hard to judge cruelty when you’ve never known kindness”. In this case, Harry has known kindness, but he also knows what it feels like to be treated unfairly.
Bravery
In the Wizarding World bravery is something cherished and cowardly behaviour is something spurned. The lesson of Wormtail is also relevant here. If you aren’t brave enough to do the right thing, it’s often frowned upon. Yet it isn’t that clearcut either. Bravery comes in different shapes and sizes. One particular aspect of the story splits audiences, and that is when Ron leaves the camp in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Some claim Ron is a useless hanger-on and he is a coward to leave when he does. This is where I would argue, that actually he is braver and more loyal because he wavered and then he came back. Another example of how bravery is not something ever-present is the evolving story of Neville Longbottom. He is isn’t always brave in the conventional sense, but he does stand up to his friends when he thinks they are wrong and he does save the day.
Fun
All work and no play, something something. Potter is a series of very serious topics, but it’s hero is also relatively less intense; for the first half at least. Returning to that Potter nature, Harry gains traits from his parents including “a certain disregard for the rules”. Harry, and Ron in particular, have a great time slacking off homework, sneaking around in the invisibility cloak and playing Quidditch. Even at the height of Dumbledore’s Army tension the trio can have a laugh at Ron’s emotional range, while the Weasley Twins were still making jokes when one of them lost an ear.
There are many other mantras the wizards of the universe go by, from thinking on you feet to knowledge equalling power, but the most prevalent are those above. If you’ve anything to add or thoughts and feelings on the series drop us a comment, because much like Harry we believe community is key!
