Harry’s Transformation in Goblet of Fire

Question: What is the biggest difference between book one Harry and book four Harry? Why is this difference significant?

There are some significant differences between book 1 Harry and book 4 Harry, but I think perhaps the most important is that by the end of book 4, Harry is no longer concerned about what other people think, as long as he is doing the right thing.

In Sorcerer’s Stone, as Harry sits beneath the Sorting Hat, the Hat says something really interesting about him: “There’s…a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting.” (Stone 121) Interesting, indeed! It seems that Harry, who prior to learning he’s a wizard had a very confused identity, has entered a world where everyone knows who he is. In essence, he has an entire identity outside himself, as well as many expectations about him, whether right or wrong. What will people think of him?

This “thirst to prove” himself and concern about what others think continues through the following novels. In Chamber, he has to deal with the entire school shunning him, afraid he’s Slytherin’s heir. In Prisoner, he is still very easily affected by people’s bad opinions of himself and his parents, as illustrated by the Aunt Marge debacle.

But in Goblet, Harry has to face incredibly scrutiny, as people think he’s a cheat for putting his name in the goblet, and the media continues to print outright lies about him. The book sets us up for one of the key themes: choosing what is right over what is easy. (Goblet 724) In order to do this, and in order for Harry to truly be the hero in a world of prejudice, he must be immune to people’s opinions.

We see this trait developing in Harry throughout the book. He is able to stick to the truth and do what is right, even though Ron is angry with him and won’t talk to him. He chooses to help Fleur’s sister in the second challenge, even though it will cost him points. (502) When Rita Skeeter writes a ridiculous article about him the morning of the third task, he’s able to easily shake it off. (613) When Voldemort taunts and mocks him in the graveyard, Harry is still willing to face him. (662-63)

Harry, able to ignore the opinions of others, is now prepared by the end of book four to choose what is right over what is easy.