Is Harry Potter A Hero? -A Study Of Harry Potter Based On Perspective Of Hero Prototype

The serial novel of Harry Potter has been popular around the world since its first publication. It is still a bestseller now. One reason of its popularity is the image of Harry Potter, the protagonist. In readers’ mind, there is no doubt that Harry Potter is a hero. Researchers also begin to study Harry Potter and its relation with traditional hero prototype by considering that the serial novel of Harry Potter follows typical narrative model of heroic adventures. However, the author finds out that there are many differences between Harry Potter and traditional hero prototype after careful reading the novel’s description of details.This research mainly adopts hero prototype, Christianity perspective, Children’s psychological features, as well as liminality theory to analyze the background of Harry Potter when he grew up and his personal situation. The author points out that Harry Potter has already been quite different from traditional hero stereotype. First of all, Harry Potter met various characters in every stage of his life, which enable he to rethink about the relationships of he and others. It’s these characters who help Harry Potter re-examine the inner himself and his goal, setting food on the road of being a hero. Meanwhile, in everyday life, Harry Potter is an ordinary boy, with slight body, common name, and commonplace school record and ability. He doesn’t like to chase after fame and fortune. He doesn’t regard himself as a hero, either. As he grows up and becomes an adolescent, his rebellion and impulsion just like other boys. Faced with complicated humanity and social problems, he feels helpless and rebelled. Therefore, Harry Potter’s hero identity, is the “liminality” of collision and integrating of hero and children characteristic.In summary, this paper tends to use careful reading method to construe whether Harry Potter is a hero, based on the perspective of hero prototype. It combines the psychological characteristic of children’s growth, and redefine hero. This research is vital for answering the question why the serial novel of Harry Potter could be so popular around the world.