A character that shows significant development through out
the Harry Potter series is Neville Longbottom. He shows great change and
improvement in various aspects of his being, especially bravery. In the series,
characters are constantly being pushed to their limits, facing more and more
danger with each installment of the series. Neville is no exception. In book 1,
Neville arrives at Hogwarts with as a clumsy shy student. He is not by any
means a star student and is constantly the target of Malfoy’s incessant
bullying. Neville was sorted into Gryffindor, which confuses him as well as
others. Neville is seen as a coward up until the near the end of book 1. When
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are about to leave the common room to go save the
Sorcerer’s Stone, Neville tries to stop them, and even threatens to fight them.
This small scene gives the readers great insight into Neville’s potential. We
see that when he is put into a situation where bravery is necessary, Neville
will rise to the occasion to enforce what he thinks is right.
Through out the next few books, Neville is displays fleeting
moments of bravery, but the next real instance that shows his courage is in
book 5. Neville first shows this when he joins Dumbledore’s Army. He joins
enthusiastically and eventually his technique and dueling ability start to
improve. Then, when Harry decides that he must go to the Ministry of Magic,
Neville is determined that he, as well as the other DA members, should
accompany Harry. Harry at first says no, but Neville is persistent. This shows
incredible bravery; he knew the danger that he was getting into, but he also
knew that it had to be done. Through out the battle at the Ministry, through
all of the dueling and curses, Neville tells Harry that no matter what, the
Death Eaters must not get the prophecy. Neville didn’t care what happened to
him, as long as Voldemort did not get the prophecy. Yet again, Neville perfectly
exemplifies courage.
I think that Neville is a good example of the Sorting Hat placing characters into houses that, at first thought, one wouldn’t think they belong. The placement of Neville in Gryffindor, Luna in Ravenclaw, and Hermione in Gryffindor all call into question the true meaning of the houses and the Sorting Hat’s reasons for putting them there. As was discussed in class, I think that the house placement really is more of a reflection of what a character aspires to be, rather than what they are at that moment. So, as we watch characters develop, we see them “grow into” their houses—Neville certainly grew into his house’s main characteristic of bravery!
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