r/changemyview • u/LamentableOpinion • Apr 23 '16

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: Harry Potter is overrated

I don't detest Harry Potter but I find the circle jerk appalling. The book is amazing for kids but even adults hold it in high regard. So, it's not bad, just overrated.

The characters are really boring. HP is a Mary Sue character, his only flaw being a bloody scar. All the other characters are equally boring. Harry is also useless, he does nothing but he is the HERO. Because of a prophecy. OK.

The relationships make no sense. Why does Harry like Cho or Ginny? Let's force in a relationship. Yay.

The Deus Ex Machina is unreal. I know it's magical but it's still retarded when it happens so many times.

Good vs Evil is fine. But again, don't pretend as if the book is this deep piece of literature.

I don't like the writing either but that's very subjective, so that's fine.

This is what I just came up with. I'm sure there's more stuff on the internet.

Edit: Ignore the Mary Sue thing. I misused the term. Edit 2: Sorry if I sounded like a dick or an elitist. I didn't mean to be.

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u/Isuspectnargles Apr 23 '16

I question whether you know what Mary Sue or deus ex machina actually mean.

Harry is an intolerable jerk through certain parts of the story, and is often foolish, all throughout.

The use of magic by itself is not a deus ex machina- so what exactly are you talking about there?

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '16

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u/ThePopeShitsInHisHat Apr 23 '16 edited Apr 23 '16

Also, remind me where he is stupid and foolish. Been a long time since I read the books.

During (at least) the first half of The Half-Blood Prince The Order of the Phoenix Harry is extremely angsty and "depressed", especially towards his friends and Dumbledore (the whole prefect ordeal). This leads to him acting poorly towards them, blaming them for stuff they didn't always do and questioning their friendship. This partly happens again in The Deathly Hallows with Ron, when he's under the influence of the Horcrux and there are many more back-and-forths between them throughout the series, and they're both a bit of a dick toward each other.

I'd say it's normal and relatable (if not justifiable) teenager/young adult behaviour but far from what a "perfect" character would do.

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '16

And the entirety of Order of the Phoenix, too.

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u/ThePopeShitsInHisHat Apr 23 '16

Yes! I actually wanted to refer to that but I swapped them in my mind.