The Deviation of a Typical Hero in Harry Potter

Harry Potter, unlike his other fellow Young Adult heroes like Ragged Dick and Jo March, shows a disinclination and hesitation in his abilities even from the beginning of the series. Whereas his other heroes show themselves to headstrong and sure in their own abilities, Harry Potter deviates from such traits through mainly his characterization as a new wizard. The other heroes begin and end the series with a deep awareness of their own identity and what they must have to do, in turn, to overcome the trials that accompany their identities; Ragged Dick must overcome his poverty as an orphan without anyone to rely on, Jo March must overcome the stereotypes and sexism that accompanies a woman, and even Katniss Everdeen understands her low place in society as a member of District 12 in the Hunger Games. Harry, on the other hand, begins his role in the novel with the newfound awareness of his identity as a wizard, and furthermore, the wizard who defeated Voldemort as a baby. The discovery subsequently forces him to realign his understanding of himself in ways that he never had to do before, as his fellow students and even adults treat him with respect and veneration that he had previously never received as an orphan.

His discovery of a previously hidden identity imbues Harry with a sense of hesitation and lack of self-confidence that not many of his fellow heroes in the same genre suffer. Even when Harry is about to confront Voldemort, he shows little confidence in his ability to defeat him. Rowling writes, "Well--I was lucky once, wasn't I?' said Harry, pointing to his scar. 'I might get lucky again'" (208). He displays his hesitation and low confidence in his stumbling words, like "might" and "get lucky." He additionally attributes his defeat of Voldemort to not his own abilities, but rather a physical trait embodied by a wound long-healed over. He understands that, like his scar, his victory over Voldemort was a reflection of other people's actions, namely his mother's love and self-sacrifice. He further goes on to claim that he "isn't as good as [Hermione]" and feels embarrassed when she claims that he is a great wizard, further proving his hesitation as a hero. While his low self-confidence and uncertainty may be attributed to his young age--perhaps more comparable to a YA hero like Percy Jackson, who nonetheless shows confidence dissimilar to Harry--Harry still shows the same reluctance to lead and display confidence in his power even at the end of the series. His doubt in himself and unwillingness to lead others in battle is what characterizes him as a hero, and what even leads Dumbledore to make a larger thematic point about how some of the best heroes lie in those who take up the mantle of responsibility in spite their reluctance.