Monday, November 11, 2002

An interesting take on Harry Potter appeared on Slate the other day. The basic gyst of the article is that although all of the action of the books (and now the movies) revolves around Harry Potter, young Harry himself doesn't really do anything to influence that action on his own. He seems to coast through his various problems and antagonisms, achieving his victories more through his own inate abilities than through his own actions. Everything that happens to him, does so because of who Harry Potter IS rather than because of what he DOES. It's an interesting take, and to a degree I agree with it. I've noticed, even as the books have gotten darker and better, that everyone in the supporting cast -- all of the people around Harry -- are more interesting, as characters, than Harry himself. I hope that changes in the remaining books.

No comments: