Experience Tumblr Like Never Before
You seem to assume that Harry already had a fully formed identity as a toddler or an inherent essence embedded into his soul that defines him regardless of how his environment shaped him. That is simply not true. That’s not how human personalities and behavior develop in real life. Due to the significant differences in Lily’s and Harry’s lives and upbringings, it’s clear to me that these two couldn't be more different in terms of personality and how their minds interacted with the world. While they might share some surface-level traits, such as stubbornness, a sense of justice, and martyrdom, these traits do not tell us who a person actually is, and that applies to Lily and Harry as well. These traits could easily be present in other individuals who still act in opposite ways and could also manifest completely differently in both Lily and Harry.
What makes a full personality is the interplay of traits within the context of a person’s behavioral patterns, decision-making, worldview, relationships, emotional processes, problem-solving, and more. So while I agree that the narrative suggests Lily and Harry share some surface-level traits that are unique to them and distinguish them from others, I also believe these traits manifest differently in each of them and that their full personalities and mental processes function in very different ways. Comparing them symbolically makes sense, but comparing them individually does not.
harry potter is NOT james potter.
I love parallels. I love people reminding others of those they've lost along the way.
But Harry Potter is not James . And that is so vital to his entire character.
When people see Harry, they see James. They see a James who sees the world through Lily's eyes. When they see Harry, they don't see Harry.
And that is so vital to his entire being. It's vital to how people see Harry. The people that didn't know James, see the Boy-Who-Lived.
The people who did, who were close to Harry, to James, to Lily. They see James and Lily Potter. They see the people who died, people they were close to, people they miss every day but will never see again.
Remus, Sirius, Snape, McGonagall.
At first, they see James and Lily. And then when they meet him - apart from Snape- they quickly realise he is anything but.
Harry is not arrogant, rich, spoilt. He doesn't have an ego, he doesn't play pranks, he isn't a chaser, he doesn't pick fights.
Harry isn't exceptionally bright at everything he does, he isn't inconceivably forgiving for those who don't deserve it.
He is not Lily and James.
When peole write Harry as a golden retriever, as effortlessly good at everything, they aren't writing about Harry.
Harry who grew up not wanted. Harry who grew up believing something was wrong with him. Harry who was forced into the wizarding world with no knowledge. Harry who is as stubborn as a mule,. Harry who is loyal to a fault, who forgives those he loves, Harry who isn't his parents.
He has traits of them, their anger, their ability to love, and much much more.
BUT Harry Potter isn't them. He isn't the 'best of them both' he isn't James or Lily or Sirius or Regulus.
Harry Potter is Harry. Just Harry.
And that is why he doesn't get along ith Snape. That's why McGonagall believes Harry dragged Neville out for a joke in first year.
When people see Harry, they don't see Harry. And by writing Harry as somebody else, or as 'so-and-so's child' you're not doing the character justice.
'I want a complex character with complex relationships'
'i want an angry character'
'i want to read a book that makes me think'
you couldn't even handle Harry Potter.