Growth

As it has been read throughout the entire series of these books there is a common thread that unites all of the characters, and that is change or growth of some type. With this growth the characters were able to overcome challenges and obstacles that if confronted with before would probably not have been able to deal with. In this case, the ability for Harry to give his life up because he thought it would be for the greater good. He demonstrated this selflessness and because of this I consider him to be worthy of being called a hero. In class it was discussed that he may not have owned up to that title, but it is because of his ability to make wise decisions under the circumstances that he has been born into that makes him who he is and makes us at the same time admire his ability to live life the way he does. He is the true example of what it means to come of age. He was able to go through so much turmoil and still come out being the character we came to love since the first book. The same goes for other characters like Ron, Hermione and Neville. They all showed this great grasp as to who they finally had become and defended it. Unlike when they were younger and in a sense more childlike and didn’t have to worry about finding their true identities. It is in this book in which they all become who they want to be and embrace that notion of themselves, especially when faced with the gravest dangers they could possibly be forced into, such as having to fight evil. Maybe what Rowling wanted to show us in this last installment was that when we are faced with the darkest moments there can possibly be in life; it is here that we truly find ourselves and fend for what we truly believe in despite the costs that may come.