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Smart and Independent Harry
Sep. 22nd, 2011 10:34 pmSo, I've been reading all these "smart and independent" Harry stories lately, and I find that I really like the trope. These are stories where Harry figures out what's going on around him and is able to manipulate and change events as a result of him being smart and breaking out from under adult authority.
What's great about this trope?
1. Hands down, the meta commentary on the books. I find that even a poorly written "smart and independent" Harry story that contains stilted dialogue, poor characterization, and a wacko plot usually contains some interesting critique of canon. Do the Hogwarts staff really not care that Harry's been physically and mentally abused? Does he really not need counseling? How can Dumbledore justify Quirrel's presence at the school? These stories raise really interesting questions across the spectrum, from worldbuilding to politics to ethics to characterization.
2. Watching Harry get to kick a little ass and take some names. Sometimes, this Harry is the result of time travel or dimension hopping. Because he knows what's going to happen before it does, he can circumvent his previous fate.
What's not so great about this trope?
1. Well, to qualify, Harry has to be independent, which generally means that he must recognize that most of the adults around him are either clueless or actively manipulating him in a nefarious way. Sometimes the way this plays out is, if you'll forgive the pun, magic--Harry getting his own back at the Dursleys, Harry discovering that Dumbledore is a deeply flawed individual, Harry standing up to Fudge or some other Ministry representative. However, oftentimes this kind of story stars a Dumbledore who is crazy or just pure D. evil and some permutation of Weasleys who are evil, greedy, and jealous. It's almost always Molly and Ginny who are evil in comparison to the stalwartly friendly male Weasleys. I can kinda get behind the crazy!evil Dumbledore because, dude, he is kinda crazy. But the Weasleys are made of yay, and there is much eye rolling on my part when reading about Harridan!Molly and her slut!daughter Ginny.
2. Harry is TOO smart and TOO independent. He's a Mage! He's a Seer! He's Merlin's direct descendent! All at the same time. He's Lord Potter Black Slytherin Hufflepuff Gryffindor Roosevelt Gates. He can control all the elements. Much like Ayla, he picks up Gobbledegook in a matter of hours. It's a bit....much.
However, I am still deeply taken with this kind of story. So here's my question: do any of the rest of you like "smart and independent" Harry stories? Any recs? Even if you haven't read or don't like the trope, what are some of the "smart and independent" things you'd like to see Harry do in such a story?
What's great about this trope?
1. Hands down, the meta commentary on the books. I find that even a poorly written "smart and independent" Harry story that contains stilted dialogue, poor characterization, and a wacko plot usually contains some interesting critique of canon. Do the Hogwarts staff really not care that Harry's been physically and mentally abused? Does he really not need counseling? How can Dumbledore justify Quirrel's presence at the school? These stories raise really interesting questions across the spectrum, from worldbuilding to politics to ethics to characterization.
2. Watching Harry get to kick a little ass and take some names. Sometimes, this Harry is the result of time travel or dimension hopping. Because he knows what's going to happen before it does, he can circumvent his previous fate.
What's not so great about this trope?
1. Well, to qualify, Harry has to be independent, which generally means that he must recognize that most of the adults around him are either clueless or actively manipulating him in a nefarious way. Sometimes the way this plays out is, if you'll forgive the pun, magic--Harry getting his own back at the Dursleys, Harry discovering that Dumbledore is a deeply flawed individual, Harry standing up to Fudge or some other Ministry representative. However, oftentimes this kind of story stars a Dumbledore who is crazy or just pure D. evil and some permutation of Weasleys who are evil, greedy, and jealous. It's almost always Molly and Ginny who are evil in comparison to the stalwartly friendly male Weasleys. I can kinda get behind the crazy!evil Dumbledore because, dude, he is kinda crazy. But the Weasleys are made of yay, and there is much eye rolling on my part when reading about Harridan!Molly and her slut!daughter Ginny.
2. Harry is TOO smart and TOO independent. He's a Mage! He's a Seer! He's Merlin's direct descendent! All at the same time. He's Lord Potter Black Slytherin Hufflepuff Gryffindor Roosevelt Gates. He can control all the elements. Much like Ayla, he picks up Gobbledegook in a matter of hours. It's a bit....much.
However, I am still deeply taken with this kind of story. So here's my question: do any of the rest of you like "smart and independent" Harry stories? Any recs? Even if you haven't read or don't like the trope, what are some of the "smart and independent" things you'd like to see Harry do in such a story?
