Blog Post #1 Response: You Get to Choose Your Friends

In discussion of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, we discussed Harry’s choice on the train to Hogwarts and how difficult it must have been to reject an offer of friendship when he was so alone in a new culture. Harry is approached by Draco Malfoy on the train to Hogwarts, and Malfoy offers a handshake saying, “You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there” (p. 108). Harry rejects the handshake, right away realizing that Malfoy was the “wrong sort” of friend.

Two things that change my perspective and the way I relate to Harry in this scene is the age I was when I first read the series and my method of schooling. First, I was seventeen to eighteen years old when I first read book #1 of the series—way past middle school and situations involving bullies and cliques.  I was well-established in solid friendships and had much more self-confidence than my twelve year old self (the age of many first-time Harry Potter readers). Also, I was home schooled in grades 2-12, and as a result I did not have to deal with nasty bullies or mean kids—home schooled kids are characteristically very nice.

This more recent read of The Sorcerer’s Stone led to even less empathy for Harry, since I am largely reading with a feel for what I would do in the situation, rather than the perspective of someone of Harry’s age. With the self-confidence that comes from new experiences and college under my belt, I know that I too would have rejected Malfoy. I also realize that timing played a role in Harry’s bravery in this situation, since Ron and the Weasleys had already befriended Harry when Malfoy made his offer.

In conclusion, my perspective may seem negative, since I do not greatly admire Harry or see him as particularly heroic in this scene; however this scene is important in my perception of Harry because it helps me relate to him better.  Because of my experiences, I would argue that his motives rose out of a dislike of his cousin and timing rather than bravery, but this simply makes him seem more real. I am interested to hear from those that did read this book when they were young and how that has affected their view of our protagonist.