Althib 1 Michael Althib Mrs.

Khamiseh English IV-P 30 September 2011 A Martyr Within While Voldemort torments a man for information on Harry Potter the man cries, I do not know, I never knew, a young man no please PLEASE! (280). Imagine being faced with a being that is unstoppable, that no one can defeat but everyone looks on to you to strike him down. For young Harry Potter, he is left a mission to do just that. Who would not see just how much terror Harry faces everyday while he becomes a martyr? In J.K. Rowlings novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter is the archetypal martyr, displaying determination and selflessness while also demonstrating discipleship and self-sacrifice. Harry shows determination throughout his seventeenth year. As Harry realizes his destiny, he still is determined to make it through. At one point Harry finds out he has to be killed. Harry thinks, His job was to walk calmly into Deaths welcoming arms (691), knowing he must die he stays on task. Even though he faces death, he will not abandon his mission; he is determined to make it all the way to the end. He walks right up to his welcoming death and avoids any contact with anyone who might try and stop him. When Ron is trying to get Harry to seek out an unmatched wand, Harry does not stray from his mission. Ron pleads, The unbeatable wand, Harry! then Harry says, Im not supposed to Im supposed to get the Horcruxes (500). An unbeatable wand he can acquire but instead he stays determined to finish off the Horcruxes as he was instructed to the previous year. Harry, not caring what else he Content Error Grammatical Error

Althib 2 can have strictly wants to finish his mission with no distractions. Despite all these temptations and obstacles Harry is still determined to finish what he started. While being pursued by Voldemort, Harry maintains his proclivity of selflessness. When Harry sees his old friends loose eye in a door, he states, Umbridge had stuck it to her office door, to spy on people. I couldnt leave it there (271). Even after his friend has died, he still goes out of his way to help him by keeping his eye away from harm. His selfless acts constantly put him in danger but nonetheless he keeps it up. When Harry finally speaks with Dumbledore and Dumbledore addresses Harry saying, I was selfish, Harry, more selfish than you, who are a selfless person (716). Dumbledore, the person Harry admires the most, enlightens him on just how selfless Harry is. Harry realizes just how selfless he truly is and coming from Dumbledore made it that much better. Harry thinking at times that he was a horrible person, now sees that he in fact is very selfless. With Dumbledore gone, Harry keeps a strong discipleship towards him. When Mrs. Weasley finds out Harry plans to leave, she remarks, Dumbledore left me stuff to doWhat sort of stuffIm sorry I cant [say] (88). Harry is following Dumbledores orders to keep his mission secret to everyone. Harrys discipleship to Dumbledore is so strong that he would not even think of crossing him. As Harry is ready to battle at Hogwarts, he tells Professor McGonagall, Im acting on Dumbledores orders (595). Harry keeps following Dumbledore till the very end no matter who is in his way. A professor at his school does not even shake his loyalty towards Dumbledore. Harry follows so blindly he is acting just as Dumbledores disciple. Against Voldemort Harry is willing to sacrifice himself at all times. When Harry barely manages to evade Voldemort, he wants to leave the safety of his friends house so they would

Althib 3 not be in danger. Trying to convince them to allow him to leave harry argues, Its not me Im worried for (82). He would rather be killed and tortured instead of his friends being in danger. Harry would sacrifice himself if it meant his loved ones were safe. As Harry watches his friends die for him, he goes and confronts Voldemort knowing he will die. Finally, understanding his destiny Harry proclaims, I am about to die [understanding] he was about to join [the dead] (698). Harry finally sees the end. He sees what he must do in order to save everyone. Harry marches right into deaths path and accepts his death openly. He fears it no more because it means the safety of his friends. Harry sacrifices himself willingly to save all the people he loves. Being hunted, Harry manages to stay on his mission for his most admired person. Harry cares for all the people fighting for him and hates how they are being treated because of that. Harry being determined to at all costs do anything to keep everyone but himself out of harms way makes the ultimate sacrifice in the end. Harry in J.K. Rowlings novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows shows the archetypal martyr by his perseverance, selflessness, loyalty and his true act of martyrdom.

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Works Cited Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2007.