Greatness v. Goodness

[Rachel-K]

In Chamber of Secrets, Dobby says he'd known of Harry's "greatness but not of his goodness." What is the difference?

Are greatness and goodness ever set against one another in these first novels?

[Nadine]

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rkubie wrote:
In Chamber of Secrets, Dobby says he'd known of Harry's "greatness but not of his goodness." What is the difference?

Are greatness and goodness ever set against one another in these first novels?

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Excellent distinction. Obviously Harry is famous for defeating Voldemort. But in Chapter 2 we learn more about Harry's humanity and kindness towards members of society that are considered outcasts. I think this parallels his own experience as an outcast in human society. He knows what it is like. Harry himself was kind of an indentured servant. I see a lot of parallels here. Harry does menial chores, lives in a closet for most of his life, wears hand-me-down clothes, and is constantly punished for situations that don't appear to be his fault. Harry doesn't treat Dobby as an inferior. In fact, as Dobby points out, he treats him with kindness and as an equal. This is an important part of Harry's personality and, I think in the end, will set him apart from Voldemort. As we learned when Harry selected his wand, Voldemort was great but he certainly was not good or kind. Again at the sorting ceremony the Hat said Slytherin would help him to greatness but Harry rejected that. When Draco offered to "introduce him to the right people" Harry rejected that as well saying he could pick his own friends when indeed he picked Ron Weasley, a boy from a poor family; Hermione, a girl from a Muggle family; and even Neville, a magically challenged boy from a pure-blood wizard family.

Nadine

[LizzieAnn]

The first thing that popped into my head was Colin Creevy in COS. He follows Harry around, taking pictures, asking questions, in general - just being annoying. But Harry isn't nasty to him - he answers him (even if not enthusiastically). For example, in chapter 7 when he follows Harry to Quiddtich practice and asks so many questions, Harry, answers him. Even though he tried to discourage Colin from coming along, he doesn't come right out and say to get lost.

There was also Draco in Chapter 6 of SS - offering to be Harry's friend & to introduce him to the "right" people; advising him to avoid the "wrong" sort of people. Harry puts him in his place by answering him: I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself.

Message Edited by LizzieAnn on 02-05-200701:44 PM

[aluna]

You can simply be born into greatness, or talents that make you great, but it takes a realy remarkable person to have all that and still be good at heart. Harry treats everyone kindly even though he could have easily gone with Malfoy and just used his fame and power for evil. Greatness can come easily, but goodness is harder b/c it has to be worked at.

Ashley

[lacalladita]

While greatness and goodness may seem to mean the same thing, they really don't. One can be great at something but being good is who you are. So, a person can be great but a terrible person and a person could be good but not great at things. Ollivander put it best in SS (pg. 85) when he told Harry...

"I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible, yes, but great."