J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone emphasizes the importance of modesty throughout the book, as seen through Harry Potter’s character as he learns how to handle his newfound fame and fortune that awaits him in the wizarding world.
At the beginning of the novel, Harry Potter knew nothing about his magical abilities, or the fame and fortune he had inherited in the wizarding world through his deceased parents. In fact, he lives with the Dursleys who treat him with little respect, and he even endures sleeping with spiders in “the cupboard under the stairs” (19). Needless to say, Harry Potter comes from rather humble beginnings, and he does not forget his upbringing when he leaves for Hogwarts. When he first arrives at Hogwarts and his name is called for his turn with the sorting hat, “whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall” (121). Everyone at Hogwarts already knows Harry’s name, and yet he does not let it get to his head. He remains humble and continues to work hard and make new friends as he adjusts to a completely new way of life. In fact, he uses his reputation as a way of bettering himself. When Harry awakes in the hospital and learns that “Professor Quirrell did not manage to take [the Stone]” from him, it is because he uses his bravery to uphold his name and give him the confidence to move forward in scary situations (296). His humility stands in stark contrast to other characters in the book, such as Draco Malfoy. Malfoy always seems to “get out of the way just in time,” and uses his family’s name to lift his status and promote his arrogant attitude (149). Malfoy treats others with disrespect, while Harry is rather kind to the other students as soon as he arrives at Hogwarts.
Essentially, Harry’s courage and modesty throughout the first novel allows him to succeed and live up to the fame and fortune that he found in the wizarding world. He acts humbly, which is quite different to other characters in the book, like Draco Malfoy, who value status and success over respect and morals.
Harry Potter is a wonderful example to younger kids that even if you come from a well-known family, does not mean you have to set yourself higher than every one else. He establishes this right in the beginning when Malfoy tries to convince Harry that there are better wizarding families he should be with other than Ron Weasley, but Potter shuts him down by saying, "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks" to clarify he is happy with Ron as a friend (109). I think this part truly shows Harry's modesty by teaching kids it does not matter what background you come from to be friends with others. As you said, Harry continues a modest attitude even when he arrives at the school by not trying to appear stuck up. Another moment I believe shows that Harry is not afraid to admit that he does not know much about the wizarding world is during his first potions class with Snape. He is continuously pounded with questions about how to create a potion, but Harry openly says, "I don't know, sir" without fighting to make something up (137). Any other kid wanting to prove he is of higher status might have asked for the right answer to seem intelligent or make something up, but Harry stuck to what he knew and took the humiliation. I also agree that his bravery helps him along the way. Even though Potter does not know anything about his parents, he uses that to push him to fight against the evil force to save the Stone rather than to prove something of himself. All throughout his time determining how to save the Stone, he does not mention he needs to do it to prove that he is as mighty as his parents, but to stop (who he thinks is) Professor Snape from stealing it to help Voldemort. In the end, that awards him more points for Gryffindor House and can teach kids that staying modest can be even more awarding than proving to be better.
ReplyDeleteI think part of the reason Harry is so modest is that, at first, he doesn’t understand how he could be a wizard. When Hagrid first tells him he is a wizard, “instead of feeling pleased and proud,” he feels as though there has been “a horrible mistake” (37). At the beginning of the novel, Harry is certain he is not cut out to be a Hogwarts. When classes first start at Hogwarts, however, he is “relieved to find out that he [isn’t] miles behind everyone else” (134). He begins to think he belongs at Hogwarts, and he works toward learning more about the wizarding world. He participates in his classes, joins the Quidditch team, and explores the grounds of Hogwarts. One of the biggest reasons Harry begins to think he fits in at Hogwarts are his friends. While Harry does help Ron, Hermione, and Neville out of sticky situations, they help him just as much as he helps them by being his biggest fans and supporters. They help keep him modest, too. At the end of the novel, when Harry is attempting to get the Sorcerer’s Stone before Snape, he accepts that he is “no match for [Snape], really” (286). Here, Harry is yet again conscious of the fact that he has much more to learn at Hogwarts.
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