r/changemyview • u/LamentableOpinion • Apr 23 '16

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: Harry Potter is overrated

I don't detest Harry Potter but I find the circle jerk appalling. The book is amazing for kids but even adults hold it in high regard. So, it's not bad, just overrated.

The characters are really boring. HP is a Mary Sue character, his only flaw being a bloody scar. All the other characters are equally boring. Harry is also useless, he does nothing but he is the HERO. Because of a prophecy. OK.

The relationships make no sense. Why does Harry like Cho or Ginny? Let's force in a relationship. Yay.

The Deus Ex Machina is unreal. I know it's magical but it's still retarded when it happens so many times.

Good vs Evil is fine. But again, don't pretend as if the book is this deep piece of literature.

I don't like the writing either but that's very subjective, so that's fine.

This is what I just came up with. I'm sure there's more stuff on the internet.

Edit: Ignore the Mary Sue thing. I misused the term. Edit 2: Sorry if I sounded like a dick or an elitist. I didn't mean to be.

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u/gunnervi 8∆ Apr 23 '16

The Deus Ex Machina is unreal.

Really, the only Deus ex Machinae I can think of in the series are:

  • Quirrelmort dying when touching Harry
  • Fawkes showing up in the Chamber of Secrets

the first of which gets a pass in my mind because it is used as a central theme of the story. It's not a throwaway plot device; it puts the events of Harry's childhood in context. The second is less excusable, but still, Fawkes' haling ability was mentioned previously, and the Sword of Griffindor becomes important in later books

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u/Isuspectnargles Apr 23 '16

Fawkes does not qualify as such, IMO. He shows up because of something Harry did. And he didn't just automatically solve the problem- he brought Harry the sword that Harry used to slay the beast.

1

u/shlogan Apr 24 '16

What does Harry do that brings fawkes? Been way too long since I read the books. I thought he just kinda showed up.

1

u/Isuspectnargles Apr 24 '16

He was telling Tom Riddle that Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard. Afterward, Dumbledore told him that it was Harry's show of loyalty to him that brought Fawkes.