Character Critique: Harry Potter
Quote from Heatherlly on March 7, 2024, 12:23 amI thought it might be fun to go through various HP characters and share our thoughts on each of them. What do you like best about the character? What do you dislike? Feel free to share any insights you might have, and of course, don't forget to respond to the poll above!
I thought it might be fun to go through various HP characters and share our thoughts on each of them. What do you like best about the character? What do you dislike? Feel free to share any insights you might have, and of course, don't forget to respond to the poll above!
Quote from The Gestalt Prince on March 7, 2024, 12:35 amIt's something that's been mentioned in topics on rereading/rewatching the series, but I have problems with Harry at very specific points in the story, and it sours my read of him; some of those moments include his break-up with Cho (the part where Cho condemns Hermione cursing Marietta and Harry supporting Hermione and saying Marietta deserved being mutilated), every single time he rushes off in the direction of a life-or-death situation that was completely avoidable (Philosopher's Stone, Department of Mysteries), abusing members of staff with untested charms (HBP's potions book), etc.
It's something that's been mentioned in topics on rereading/rewatching the series, but I have problems with Harry at very specific points in the story, and it sours my read of him; some of those moments include his break-up with Cho (the part where Cho condemns Hermione cursing Marietta and Harry supporting Hermione and saying Marietta deserved being mutilated), every single time he rushes off in the direction of a life-or-death situation that was completely avoidable (Philosopher's Stone, Department of Mysteries), abusing members of staff with untested charms (HBP's potions book), etc.
Quote from Naaga on March 7, 2024, 12:43 am4 – Like him quite a bit.
I like Harry, the canon version that is. He's not perfect and not the best, but being the POV of the HP books, he's the character through which we see the events.
Things I like about him: He deals with his bad lot in life well. He's brave, loyal, kind and moral.
Things I don't like: He forms opinion of people based on how they treat him. He likes people who can be dicks as long as they are good with him and hates good people who don't treat him well.
4 – Like him quite a bit.
I like Harry, the canon version that is. He's not perfect and not the best, but being the POV of the HP books, he's the character through which we see the events.
Things I like about him: He deals with his bad lot in life well. He's brave, loyal, kind and moral.
Things I don't like: He forms opinion of people based on how they treat him. He likes people who can be dicks as long as they are good with him and hates good people who don't treat him well.
Quote from Heatherlly on March 7, 2024, 12:54 amI voted for "he's okay". Most of the time, I either have mixed feelings where he's concerned or just don't care that much.
I voted for "he's okay". Most of the time, I either have mixed feelings where he's concerned or just don't care that much.
Quote from mmlf on March 7, 2024, 11:24 amI love Harry. One of my favourite characters in the series.
I love Harry. One of my favourite characters in the series.
Quote from Salvyus on March 7, 2024, 11:43 amI also voted for "he's okay". Most of us are probably here because of him, which says enough about him as a character. But I'm not sure I like him as a person.
He has qualities I admire, but with him they're so intense they can be overwhelming at times. He is brave to the point of recklessness, selfless to the point of stupidity, protective of people he cares about (even when he doesn't truly know them) to a point where he's blind to their faults. He hates as deeply as he loves and refuses to see the good in people he dislikes (not only Snape, but also people like Mrs. Figg or even Luna). I don't think these make him a bad person, they just make him a person.
P.S. Only speaking about Harry as a student because I don't know enough about adult Harry to judge him as a person.
I also voted for "he's okay". Most of us are probably here because of him, which says enough about him as a character. But I'm not sure I like him as a person.
He has qualities I admire, but with him they're so intense they can be overwhelming at times. He is brave to the point of recklessness, selfless to the point of stupidity, protective of people he cares about (even when he doesn't truly know them) to a point where he's blind to their faults. He hates as deeply as he loves and refuses to see the good in people he dislikes (not only Snape, but also people like Mrs. Figg or even Luna). I don't think these make him a bad person, they just make him a person.
P.S. Only speaking about Harry as a student because I don't know enough about adult Harry to judge him as a person.
Quote from IFFIN on July 19, 2026, 8:42 pmI think I like him more than I know. I like that he isn't a perfect character.
I think I like him more than I know. I like that he isn't a perfect character.
Quote from luke on July 20, 2026, 2:01 amAhhh,harry harry harry.
I think Harry in the book is okay. He is cheeky,brave, loyal. A true embodiment of gryfindor
But I don't like his tendencies to hate slytherin so much that he sees slythrrin=evil. I knew it was author flaw of seeing the good in the world as only gryfindor and hufflepuff,But he must learned at the end of book to let himself admitted that slytherin is noble house of hogwarts and can produce brave and self-sacrifice to people of the world. He must encourage albus potter to choose path he wanted,that slytherin is great house. Just like three other houses.
And lastly,I never took how harry didnt have regret over cruciating criminal. I think the mcgonagal praise on harry torture criminal is very bad. It is okay if harry after torturing people,he show regret,but the look of it,he is not
To me that was disturbing. No one pure at heart can torture people heavily and dismissed it, like it didnt scarring his soul
Ahhh,harry harry harry.
I think Harry in the book is okay. He is cheeky,brave, loyal. A true embodiment of gryfindor
But I don't like his tendencies to hate slytherin so much that he sees slythrrin=evil. I knew it was author flaw of seeing the good in the world as only gryfindor and hufflepuff,But he must learned at the end of book to let himself admitted that slytherin is noble house of hogwarts and can produce brave and self-sacrifice to people of the world. He must encourage albus potter to choose path he wanted,that slytherin is great house. Just like three other houses.
And lastly,I never took how harry didnt have regret over cruciating criminal. I think the mcgonagal praise on harry torture criminal is very bad. It is okay if harry after torturing people,he show regret,but the look of it,he is not
To me that was disturbing. No one pure at heart can torture people heavily and dismissed it, like it didnt scarring his soul



