Alex Reich
Junior Theology
October 18, 2007

The Courageous Harry Potter

1. Magic and Virtue
A. Magic Doesn’t solve all problems
B. What is needed for problem solving:
a. intelligence
b. planning
c. courage
d. determination
e. persistence
f. resourcefulness
g. fidelity
h. friendliness
2. The Virtues at Hogwarts
A. Gryffindor House- Bravest
a. Harry often gets scared, experiencing as much fear as someone his age can feel
B. Ravenclaw House- cleverest
C. Hufflepuff- hardest workers
D. Slytherin- great ambition
3. Feelings of Fear
A. Shows other people’s fear through exterior
a. Gilderoy Lockhart’s knees had given way (Chamber of Secrets, p. 303)
B. Shows Harry’s fear inwardly
a. Harry’s heart gave a horrible jolt (Sorcerer’s Stone, p. 115)
C. Harry’s Bravery
a. “You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you”-Dumbledore (Goblet of Fire, p. 695)
4. Harry’s Recipe for Courage
A. He gives himself peptalks before every Quidditch match
B. Triwizard Tournament
C. Relationship between confidence and courage: courage is a virtue, confidence is an attitude. You can be in a situation where you have courage and don’t need confidence and where you need confidence, but can’t be too courageous.
4. Surround yourself with support. The best way to have cheerleaders that make you feel better is to be a cheerleader for others.
5. Harry’s Big Step of Faith
A. Triwizard Tournament maze; Harry thinks he wins, but is transportede to the graveyard unknowingly, which scares him b ut he is not phased by this.
6. Conclusion: We all have within ou power to act in such a way as to cultivate the virtue of courage