Why do we like Harry?

While attending the GOF premiere in London, DanRadcliffe.com had a brief Q&A with Daniel and one of the things Dan said he would ask fans if he had the chance is: What do you like about Harry? We thought we would help him out and ask the fans for him. We had a massive amount of submissions for this one, so we have narrowed down the list to the most unique responses sent in.

Insites from Devoted Harry Potter Fans:

Harry embodies the traits I think most people should look for in a friend. His loyalty is undeniably true blue. Harry goes above and beyond to protect his cherished loved ones, and those he feels need protecting like Dobby. Harry makes choices and sacrifices others in his position would not. Harry is also a survivor, and I don't mean because of the Voldemort situation. Harry endured a lot of abuse at the Dursley's, but he overcame and prevailed. He has had to deal with many tragedies and losses in a short time span that some people don't experience in an entire lifetime. Even though I am a female, I can identify with Harry. There are times when Harry does something I could never see myself doing, that is why I like cheering him on. I just want Harry to succeed. With each book I grew to love the Harry Potter character more and more, so I know when the last book is released, it will be bittersweet. It will be like saying goodbye to a dear friend. ~ Brandi, USA

I admire his strength of spirit. It is what enables him to step out of the shadows and say "I'm Harry" when Hagrid thinks Dudley is Harry. It is what makes him face the basilisk with only a sword he doesn't really know how to use it, cast his patronus against an overwhelming number of dementors, and stand up to Voldemort in the graveyard instead of running away. It allowed him to overcome terrible abuse and still feel love, trust and laughter. It is what will make it possible for him to defeat Voldemort in the end. ~ Kim, USA

I suppose as a 49 year old adult, I should be spouting the metaphors of Kafka and the symbolism of Melville; but there is something about this character that reaches into my adolescence - when I was invincible and ready to conquer the world and at the same time scared to death! The mother in me longs to protect Harry from the perils he faces and wants to comfort him; so I reach out to my own son with a deeper understanding. The romantic in me wants Harry to defeat Evil so all children can live in peace; so I volunteer with younger children at my church. The storyteller in me longs to be part of the magical world Ms. Rowling has created; so I write about the magical world I live in. But I must say that this is truly a casting of roles defined by destiny. Behind the bespectacled eyes of Mr. Radcliffe, I see Harry; but remove the glasses and lately, a totally unique person is emerging. So, I am drawn to the written world of Harry Potter and intrigued by the visual world. ~ Laurel, USA

I love Harry Potter because of his Humbleness in his greatest victories, his fierce Devotion to do what is good, his unwavering Loyalty to those he loves and respects; and the fact that they love and respect him back. I may be one of the 'older' fans, but "Harry Potter" reminds me very much of my own son who has faced many obstacles in his life and has overcome them like Harry, with Courage and Compassion. ~ Gigi, USA

I knew I liked Harry after seeing the first movie, but then I read the first book, and it was when he looked at Neville and said, "You're worth twelve of Malfoy," that I really fell in love with the kid. In his defense of Neville, Harry clearly revealed the vibrant quality of his heart. As the books evolve Harry continues to grow as a person, and over and over he reveals to us a heart that has a deep tap into a source that is so much bigger than himself. Like all of us he is flawed, and he is peculiarly unspectacular in most every way, but his heart shows this unbounded capacity to love in the truest and deepest sense of the word. Harry's strength and his greatest weapon is his capacity to love, and that is what makes him the greatest fictional character I have ever come across. Harry is the kind of person anyone would long to have as a friend, but I think he is most meaningfully understood as the friend we each should strive to be. ~ Bruce, USA

Harry is a reflection of myself and everyone in the world. The success and popularity alluded to his name is proof that no matter how normal, ordinary, or average one may be, there is always something special in them. He's a humble, simple, brave, good, and upright person with integrity. His feelings are as natural as ours, and he thinks and acts just like us which gives him the ability to reach our hearts and affect our feelings. He is a good representation of humanity, young or old, and best of all, he has taught many the virtue of love, friendship and bravery. ~ Ayn, Philippines

The character of Harry can be related to by the majority of readers in some way or other. He's bullied, under-appreciated, misunderstood, terrible with girls... This gives the reader a relief when they read about someone with the same problems. Also, JK keeps the stories so close and personal that Harry becomes like a familiar old friend or twin brother who is always there at home when you need to get away. My favourite virtue of Harry is his determination to get on with life like a normal student even when he has to cope with horrific ordeals and a lot of pressure. ~ Kate, Scotland

I like Harry Potter because, to me, he seems like a great friend. He is trustworthy, funny, loyal and he is like any other boy, well except for being a wizard. What makes Harry so special is his character. Apart from being a hero, the great thing is he is not a saint, he makes mistakes just like any of us "muggles" and he forgives. Harry is special to me because from reading the book he has taught me several lessons on friendship and on life. ~ Ambika, Trinidad And Tobago

What appeals to me most about Harry is that he remains determined to try and succeed. Yet, even this success isn't for himself, its for all of his friends and those he considers family - to make sure they don't have to live through what he does. I think this is an amazing quality. The selflessness and optimism in Harry is unlike any. The fact that despite going through so much, he still has an intense hope burning inside of him - that is something truly exceptional and difficult to have. ~ Sarah, Turkey

"Two roads diverge in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference. " ---Robert Frost. Harry Potter has proven that this quote holds true in his life as well. Fighting against someone who is more powerful than you isn't a cakewalk. Harry knows that in the entire wizarding world, it is only he who can finish off Voldemort and he also knows that the easier path would be to be on the Dark Lord's side. But despite knowing all of this, he chose to take the path less taken. I like Harry because of his brave spirit, courage and determination to fight against evil, and because of his devotion and loyalty towards his friends and loved ones. ~ Urmi, India

I like Harry Potter, as there is something inside of him that resonates within all of us. His innocence and vulnerability to what he has to confront (Voldemort) is like a disguise to what all humans go through in their own lives. Within every life there will be pain and suffering, yet there will also be beautiful days and amazing times shared with friends and family. Lastly there is a hope and belief inside of Harry, that there is something better somewhere out there waiting for him. Harry Potter connects with so many people because he carries the same flaws and assets that all human beings carry, wherever they are in the world and whatever life they lead. ~ Brodie, Australia

Harry Potter is really phenomenal because he is always loyal and he always does what he feels is right, though he may be tempted to do things that are cruel and unsavoury. I especially love Harry because he is courteous even to outcasts like Luna Lovegood, and befriends them when others won't. He does face quite a daunting task; the idea that a sixteen year old wizard must destroy the most malevolent wizard of all time or be destroyed himself is petrifying. However, Harry is still the one with the wonderful sense of morality and the truly golden-hearted kindness that has brought him the love of children and adults alike all over the world. Though you would think it impossible for him to be that faultless and still come across as human, he is very much a realistically written teenager. He still loses it sometimes with his friends, spurting out in bursts of anger that he usually regrets a bit later. He's simply wonderful. ~ Robin, USA

I think Dumbledore said it better than me in Order of the Phoenix, but oddly enough, I was thinking it before reading that book... It's because of what he is, after all the tragedies he's been through... He's capable of giving so much love after loosing so many things in life, he's able to stand and fight for his destiny when his strongest pillars are falling (his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore) and, more important, he has the power to choose "good" when he's surrounded by "bad".
I admire him for being strong(er than me), for having the courage to follow his heart and instinct when he thinks those lead him to good things (it doesn't matter the results), without worrying about the others' opinions.
... and I like him for taking the chance of being different... ~ Valentina, Romania

The Harry Potter character is appealing to me because it shows the universal angst in the transition from child to adult. Although set in a magical world, Harry Potter's experience depicts the extremes in growing up, including life and death consequences, and the truth that loving parents will die to save their child. From the safety of a book's pages or theater seats, I believe that people of all ages live vicariously through Harry, enjoy seeing his personal growth and triumph in the face of great adversity, knowing that if Harry can survive and succeed in his magical world then they can manage their own life's struggles that have greatly fewer risks. ~ Kelly, USA

I like Harry Potter because I think he uses the power that all of us possess inside us but are either unaware of it or ignore it. He embodies courage, kindness, adventure, truth, independence and most of all a yearning for love. We, all of us, are in some way a part of the magic that surrounds him. ~ Prachi, India