Let me get this straight

[siren_noda]

In the first Harry Potter book, six of Harry's tasks are completed by Hermione, three by Ron, one indirectly by Hagrid, and only three by the named hero? Am I missing something here? Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the characters, but it's just proving my point.

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Comments

[_orchid_]

Which point is that? That Herminone is the real hero(ine), despite what it says on the tin? :)

I haven't read the first book in a very long time--but I suspect you are right, if that's what you're noticing! :)

[siren_noda]

I'm returning to the chosen one mechanic, and why it endures despite its obvious weaknesses. I wanted some concrete numbers out of some books that are considered successes with kids, so I'm looking at Harry Potter, Eragon, Lord of the Rings (because you kinda have to with this subject, I think) and all of that nonfiction stuff I mentioned earlier.

For why it endures, I'm looking at character (empty vessel, easy for the reader to hop into, appeals to the child's need/desire to feel important,etc.), story architecture (follows the monomyth structure, familiar, predictable), reader response, and so on. Weak though they are, chosen ones do something for us.

[fibonacci]

I'm only mostly through book 6 (reading them for the first time this year), but I think this is something that Rowling approached very consciously... She makes it explicit in 5 that the chosen one could easily have been someone else in Harry's class, and throws out constant reminders of the negative or just not-that-special parts of his personality..

[siren_noda]

Ooh, thank you for that, Phi! Having only the first book read so far, I have not yet encountered that. Chosen ones are certainly far from perfect, especially since they come from (relatively) plain stock. However, that potential for anyone to be the chosen one is a major draw for the device.

[fibonacci]

yes, yes, agree. : ) and hope i was vague enough for that not to be any sort of spoiler. ; )