Joe Kainz 

The Courageous Harry Potter

I. Magic and Virtue

            A. Magic

                        1. Completely fictional

                        2. For the characters, a problem-solving tool

            B. Virtue

                        1. Intelligence, planning, courage...

                        2. Magical importance to characters

II. The Virtues at Hogwarts

            A. Gryffindor

                        1. Founded for “the bravest”

            B. Ravenclaw

                        1. Founded for “the cleverest”

            C. Hufflepuff

                        1. Founded for “the hard workers”

            D. Slytherin

                        1. Founded for those “with great ambition”

III. Feelings of Fear

            A. Characters (other than Harry)

                        1. Description of emotion from the outside

                                    a. “Ron opened his mouth in horror.”

                                    b. “Crabbe and Goyle were looking scared.”

            B. Harry

                        1. Described powerfully from the inside

                                    a. “Harry’s stomach turned over...”

                                    b. “Harry’s heart gave a horrible jolt.”

                                    c. “Harry’s whole body went numb.”

                                    d. “Harry’s brain seemed to have jammed.”

IV. Harry’s Recipe for Courage

            A. Prepare yourself for the challenge

1. “...and this time he had some notice, some chance to prepare himself for what lay ahead.”

2. “For one thing, he was confident that, this time, he had done everything in his power to prepare for the task.”

            B. Surround yourself with support

1. Friends and associates can encourage and support us when we need it like nothing else can.

                        2. Best way to get support is to give support.

            C. Engage in positive self-talk

1. “‘See you in a bit,’ said Harry, trying to inject some confidence into his shaking voice.”

                        2. “‘I’m not going to be murdered,’ Harry said out loud.”(to himself)

            D. Focus on what’s at stake

                        1. Great values cast out fear

                        2. No hesitation when contemplating whether to go down the Basilisk pipe.

            E. Take appropriate action

                        1. “He wasn’t even aware of deciding to do it. All he knew was that his legs were carrying him forward...”

                        2. “Don’t stop and don’t be scared you’ll crash...”

V. Harry’s Big Step of Faith

            A. Third challenge of the Triwizard Tournament

                        1. Golden mist

                                    a. possible harmful enchantment

                        2. Hears scream, and runs through the mist

                        3. World turned upside-down, but still takes that unsure step.