JK Rowling's tale of Harry Potter noticeably highlights the theme of coming-of-age through its character development over the progression of the seven novels, particularly with Harry Potter. In Book One, Harry is young and innocent, standing on the outskirts of a world that appears to be exciting and full of potential. Like all of us, an important point in our development is when we consider the world to be a fun-filled prospect, without any immediate dangers. Young Harry, however, cannot escape the hold of innocence and confronts the man who killed his parents during his very first year. Over the course of his schooling, Harry gains knowledge of his world and surroundings, whilst also having to adjust to the pressures of adolescence. He ultimately witnesses a murder firsthand before he turns sixteen, and sees the world for what it truly is. From the tragedy, Harry reacts in struggles with grief and guilt. He also begins to develop relationships with adults who have taken him in and for once he can feel the belonging that is shared amongst family. As Harry will later come to realize, his connections with his peers are extremely significant at this point, as this will serve as a prelude to Harry’s development into a mature adult. The allies he encounters represent the family he is forging, as he never got to experience development with his true parents. In this process, things do not get any easier for Harry; in fact, they become much harder as Harry loses Sirius and Dumbledore, two important role models in Harry’s life who helped to see him down the right path and make the good choices. Harry also has learned the extent to which his nemesis Voldemort has gone to make himself indestructible.
Entering the seventh book, he not only has to confront this challenge with little previous knowledge, but he also must do it without the help he has so received in the past. Harry and his friends are on their own in Book Seven, and have to defend themselves against anyone who presents themselves as enemies. An important part of coming-of-age is realizing the world for what it truly is, and becoming a fully-fledged, responsible adult who is able to take care of his- or herself. With those around him in danger, Harry accepts the quest and realizes the challenge he is facing, as well as the potential consequences. Harry has also seen and analyzed his experiences with adults around him, including the warm caregiver in Molly Weasley and recklessness-but with good intentions- of Sirius. Harry’s demonstration of his achieving the ideals of adulthood is particularly seen in his confrontation at Grimmauld Place with Lupin in Book Seven, when he argues that his duty as a parent is to put fear aside in order to do what it takes to protect his child. Harry is able to display this knowledge, even though he has never been a parent before. Rowling shows us that, even if we have never experienced these good times before, all of the difficult experiences shared during adolescence can instill in us the right person we should be. Through these ways, Rowling points at the particularly demanding and traumatic events that one may experience on their way to becoming an adult. As a whole, many of the characters in this tale have had to respond to the evils of a wizarding war and have had to grow up faster than usual. Rowling shows that the obstacles faced during this rough time are important for our character when we become adults.
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