07.07.06
Half Blood Prince Character Analysis: Harry and Dumbledore
One of the things I like the most about the Harry Potter series is how dynamic the characters are. Like real people, they change and evolve. Rowling is a master at capturing the subtle ways in which not just time, but events, can change a person. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Half-Blood Prince.
One of the biggest changes in HBP is Dumbledore. In the first four books, and through most of book five, Dumbledore works hard to maintain an air of almost aloofness. He seems untroubled by situations that most others find panic-inducing. We know now that this was only a facade, meant to protect Hogwarts and particularly, Harry, from the danger and fear that Dumbledore knows is really lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce.
But in Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore’s mask begins to slip. He’s no longer as powerful and indestructible as he once was, and he knows it. As a result, we see a different side of Dumbledore, someone who is still strong, but is sometimes scared and even perplexed by the events happening around him. He begins to let other people into his confidence, most notably Harry. In fact, it is Dumbledore’s relationship with Harry that changes the most in this book. Previously they related only as teacher and student or as parent and child. But in HBP, Dumbledore I think, fully realizes that time is short and that he must live by his own maxim that “Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.” In the end, Dumbledore comes to trust Harry in a way that speaks to how Dumbledore has changed his view of Harry from an innocent that needs to be protected to an adult that needs guidance and information and who can offer protection and knowledge himself.
‘I am not worried, Harry,’ said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water, ‘I am with you.’ -Half-Blood Prince
Which brings us of course, to Harry himself. Harry is the character who changes the most in Half-Blood Prince. Most notable is the way Harry changes from Order of the Phoenix to Half-Blood Prince. In book 5, Harry is still traumatized from the events of Goblet of Fire (the Triwizard Tournament, Cedric’s death, Voldemort’s return). Add to that his persecution by The Ministry of Magic in the person of the sadistic Dolores Umbridge, the ostracization of his classmates, his first romantic relationship which turns out to be more stressful than it’s worth, and finally, the shattering death of his godfather, Sirius Black, and the strain proves to be a bit much for Harry. He cracks up a bit, becoming a moody, volatile, hot-tempered teenager. Because book 5 Harry is still a child, his perspective on the events around him can only be “Why me?” In book 5 and before, Harry sees all events as happening to him; he lacks a larger perspective that would allow him to place the events in their proper context, in the broader struggle between good and evil. Harry sees the battle, but not the war.
But in HBP, you can see from the beginning of the book that Harry has already begun to change. The dark happenings in the wizard world are no longer just about him; his view has widened enough to allow him to see the sufferings of others at the hands of Voldemort and his role as an active member of the force for good, rather than a passive victim of evil.
“But while I was at the Dursleys’…” interrupted Harry, his voice growing stronger, “I realized I cant shut myself away or — or crack up. Sirius wouldn’t have wanted that, would he? And anyway, life’s too short… Look at Madam Bones, look at Emmeline Vance… It could be me next, couldn’t it? But if it is,” he said fiercely, now looking straight into Dumbledore’s blue eyes gleaming in the wandlight, “I’ll make sure I take as many Death Eaters with me as I can, and Voldemort too if I can manage it.” -Chapter 4
Harry has finally realized the true nature of the struggle that he’s in; Voldemort doesn’t hate just Harry, he hates all that is good and normal. Like it or not, Harry realizes that this fight is his to fight, and that it’s worth the pain to save the people and things that he loves.
It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high. Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew — and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents — that there was all the difference in the world. -Chapter 23
In HBP, Harry finally leaves his childhood persepective behind for good, becoming an active participant in his own destiny, rather than a bystander.
-->
harrypotter_lover35 said,
July 8, 2006 at 8:46 pm
I am not exactly sure what you are trying to say but I have guesses. I like the reasons you have put in. Do you have any idea why Dumbledore might have been getting weaker?(other than being older)?
RavenclawWit said,
July 8, 2006 at 10:27 pm
Well, the intention of this piece was a simple character analysis, but you’re right, I do think there could be another reason Dumbledore was getting weaker. In fact, my theory is that he may have been dying all year. Here’s the scenario: Dumbledore, while destroying the ring horcrux, received the injury to his hand, only I’m not so sure it was just his hand that was affected. He said to Harry,
Perhaps the curse Dumbledore encountered was in fact deadly, and it was only some combination of spells by himself and Snape that were keeping him alive a little longer. Remember also when Hermione saw Dumbledore’s hand she described it as looking “dead”. I guess what I’m saying is that I think Dumbledore was dying slowly all year, that both he and Snape knew it, and that’s why he appeared increasingly weaker all year. If you reread the book, there are numerous passages that describe Dumbledore as looking “unusually tired” or unwell. That would also explain Snape “killing” Dumbledore at the end of HBP; if he was dying already, Dumbledore may have made Snape promise to kill him if the need should arise. Hence their argument that was overheard by Hagrid.
harrypotter_lover35 said,
July 10, 2006 at 12:44 pm
I am already through reading the book again, and I know understand the scenario.That seems like a good possibility that Snape was told by Dumbledore to kill him, but then he went off,so the possibility of the horcrux journey is a good reason and it gives a clue of other parts being dead even though you couldn’t see them. My guess would be the same as yours because I couldn’t read between the lines and find the clues of Dumbledore getting weaker.Maybe something did reach him,though unlikely, similar to the necklace and the drink, but itwould have killed him,so I guess your answer is much more precise!
Just me said,
November 6, 2006 at 3:26 pm
This analysis saved my essay, I didn’t know how to analyse the characters. :S You,sir, are one intelligent man.