From Adolescence to Adulthood: Character Development of Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's novels, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows

Abstract

Psychologically speaking, every human being experiences different challenges and changes during the process of maturation while shifting from childhood into adulthood; such denotation is clearly reflected through Harry, who is the focal protagonist of J.K. Rowling’s seven extraordinary books published between 1997-2007. Actually, Harry Potter series are considered as a fitting example of a postmodern Bildungsroman as they chronicle Harry’s growth, and how he gradually shifts from the state of ignorance and naivety to knowledge and mastery. Therefore, this study aims at analyzing the personality development of Harry’s character at the level of the two last books entitled Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007). On one hand, it aims at revealing Harry Potter’s characteristics as a leading character of the heptalogy by using Murphy’s theory of character and characterization, as well as to demonstrate Harry’s balance of personality in relation to his two best friends based on Freud’s structural modes of psyche. On the other hand, the present study attempts to shed light on the most important part which is to analyze Harry’s ongoing process of growth by depending on Hurlock’s theory of personality development.