What does it mean to be a true literary hero? The main character is obviously male, just because through time women never really had a place. He has to look masculine, and he is huge. The character must look handsome and be good looking, if not he would not be perfect as people have tried to strive for. He must be pure, and almost definitely have a fatal flaw. A good example that I could think of is Oedipus Rex, where his obsession over his fate becomes his flaw.
Harry obviously is not a true literary hero. Yes, he is a man, but he lacks the ego, the masculinity, and the overall pureness. Though, he does have the courage of a true literary hero and he has his ultimate flaw: he is impulsive. Throughout this entire series, Harry Potter tries to save everyone and rarely thinks through the situation and consequences of his actions. Harry is nerdy and average looking, he wears glasses, and has a lightening scar on his forehead. The damsel in distress is Ginny, a girl in love with Harry, and most importantly he is a teen. This means he absolutely cannot be pure!
During this time in literature history, there are a lot more of anti-hero characters such as Harry Potter. There are females characters who are heroines. More than ever are they different, impure, and absolutely average. It is no longer about being perfect but being true.
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