Harry's Hardship and its Effect on his Life

Hello readers! This is my first post on my Harry Potter blog, so bear with me as I find exactly what I want to do here!

Today, as I approach the end of Sorcerer's Stone, I would like to explore how what Harry had to go through as a child might have affected him as a grown wizard.

NOTICE: If you have not read the series or seen the movie, and do not wish to read information regarding what occurs in the series, I advise you not to read this blog. Thanks!

So obviously Harry had a little less than a normal childhood; his parents perished when he was just an infant, and he was left to be raised by his wicked muggle aunt and unlce, Petunia and Vernon Dursley. Harry was oppressed through his childhood. Cooped up in his cupboard under the stairs, Harry didnt have friends to play with, children to interact with, or even loving parents to properly care for him. In Petunia and Vernon's mind, their only job is to keep Harry alive.

Harry couldnt ask for things for his birthday and Christmas. He didnt have people there to assist him in little things like tying his shoes; he was forced to figure these things out for himself. In my opinion, albeit this was certainly not an ideal childhood, it was a great benefit to Harry later in his Wizarding career. He mentally matured very quickly, and was intent to solve problems by himself, due to the absence of parents to do so for him.

Look at Draco Malfoy as an opposite example. Draco was raised with both of his parents living, and although there is a shallow depth of information regarding his personal life, we can infer that he lived a very privileged and easy childhood. Now, throughout the series, you can tell when Draco is faced with decisions and adversities and his mommy and daddy arent there to assist him, he cowers away in fear while Harry steps up to the plate to do the noble thing, without a single request from those around him.

I suppose what I am saying is Harry's hardship has made him a very well rounded and level headed individual. What do you guys think?

-Rip

P.S. the current poll question (see top of page) is "What is your favorite harry potter character?"