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Neville Longbottom - The Unassuming Hero, The boy who finds his courage ...

Narya View Member Profile	Dec 30 2006, 09:31 PM Post #1
Chief Mischief-Maker Posts: 8,560 Joined: 5:07pm January 28, 2005 Location: The Marauder's Map never lies ...	This topic is for discussion of Neville Longbottom, the shy, awkward and reserved little boy whom we know and love in Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone - the boy who suddenly finds that he is worth much more than he even realises himself. When we first see Neville, he is in the company of his grandmother, and has apparently lost his pet toad. He is described as being "round-faced" and later as "tearful", setting the tone for his more comprehensive introduction to the reader as a boy who has little confidence, who is fearful, accident-prone and forgetful but who is Sorted by the Sorting Hat into Gryffindor - the House which holds those students who are brave at heart. We learn that Neville is a wizard, having been brought up by his grandmother who is a witch, but whose abilities are held in check by his fears. He can't master flying on a broom, which Harry has a natural aptitude for, and is mocked by Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin (PS/SS, ch.9) for his tears when he falls from his wayward broom and breaks his wrist. Some of his worst experiences in his first year at Hogwarts stem from his Potions lessons, which are taught by Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin House, universally disliked by the Gryffindors and held in esteem by the Slytherins - particularly Draco Malfoy - who share their lessons. Yet Harry, with his great friends Ron and Hermione, builds up Neville's confidence by telling him he merits his place in Gryffindor. Neville joins Harry, Ron and Hermione on their first terrifying adventure through the night-time corridors of the school as the Trio seek answers to the riddle of the Philosopher's Stone, the mysterious object which has been hidden at Hogwarts by Dumbledore, the school's Headmaster, and which holds the key to one of the most compelling secrets of the series - the lure of immortality craved by Lord Voldemort, Harry's arch-nemesis. At the end of the book, Harry is proven correct in his earlier assertion to Neville about Neville's rightful place as a Gryffindor student. Neville's last stand against the Trio when they were determined to go in search of the Stone and his attempts to prevent them putting themselves in danger is recognised by Dumbledore who awards Neville the last set of points needed to secure the House Cup for Gryffindor. By doing one of the hardest things of all to do - standing up to his friends - Neville truly proves himself to be brave at heart and we see that Neville is worth more than he realises because he finds the bravery that he didn't know he possessed. So, with your knowledge of Neville in mind, what do you think of Neville in Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone? How has his character been defined for us? Let's hear your theories! -------------------- Proud Gryffindor and OPAST member "Hallows," murmured Dumbledore, "not Horcruxes. Precisely."

blue_dreamer View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 09:59 AM Post #2
Junk Shop Organizer Posts: 2,618 Joined: 8:53am April 20, 2006 Location: Prifysgol Bangor Univeristy, Bangor, Cymru	With Snape being a Death Eater, would he have known what happened to Neville's parents? He does not tell everyone in class - it would have been a great opportunity to humiliate Nevillie even more (or maybe some of the kinder students would sympathise with him). Then again, maybe he had an agreement with Dumbledore and if Dumbledore found out Snape told then he could have been fired? Before this information is revealed to us, we see Neville as a clumsy forgetful boy who nevertheless tries his best and is always cheery and pleasant. Can anyone see Hufflepuff qualities? Could Neville have asked the had to be placed in Gryffindor rather than Hufflepuff, like Harry and Hermione did? Could the Hat 'see' Neville's past, and that he was almost 'The Chosen One' and would it have has an influence on Neville's house? These seem to be bringing up more questions than answers! -------------------- No regrets" - Cameron Duncan, 1986 - 2003 Evanna Lynch Online .cym Jessie Cave.net THE WEAPON WE HAVE IS LOVE

kimothie View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 10:17 AM Post #3
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 3 Joined: 5:33am December 5, 2006 Location: In the library, checking the 3rd use for dragon's blood.	I believe that Neville's bravery could be seen from the very beginning. He was able to talk to other students freely about an embarrassing topic (thinking he was nearly a Squib and some of the tortures he endured at the hands of his well meaning but misguided relatives), and while he quailed in front of Malfoy and Professor Snape, and trembled before putting on the Sorting Hat (thinking he would be chucked out of school immediately), he still pressed on- and perseverance through adversity is a different and very strong kind of courage, and I believe the Sorting Hat saw that quality in Neville before he saw it in himself (and before Harry and pals saw it in him as well). I think Neville's character development in SS is crucial because it's the point where we see the most similarities between himself and Harry. At this time we know each have come from rough beginnings (though we don't know that Neville was also raised without parents), and each are singled out for their qualities (Harry his best, Neville his worst), and each have to deal with the loneliness of making decisions that are bigger than themselves (Harry-resisting VoldyQuirrell's demands for the Stone, shaking off Malfoy's initial gesture of friendship. Neville- facing almost certain alienation from the only friends he has by standing up to the trio before they venture out on their late night quest). It seems Neville and Harry were destined for their odd relationship to one another since the beginning, though as we read the book through Harry's eyes, we see Neville as a pathetic, humourous, and somewhat sympathetic character, but I think even Harry could see there was more to him than meets the eye as he never questioned his placement in Gryffindor. -------------------- "You cannot give a dementor 'the old one-two' ".Harry, OOTP

CrumplehornedSno... CrumplehornedSnorckak View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 10:30 AM Post #4
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 165 Joined: 4:03pm June 21, 2005	I think we definitely see in Neville a different kind of courage. Harry has a very reckless, headlong kind of courage, at least in the first book; Ron's courage really comes from his loyalty to Harry (it's sort of the 19th-century literary master-servant relationship--think Frodo and Sam, if you prefer); and Hermione has, well, the courage of her convictions, I guess. But Neville's courage comes, I think, from a developing realization that he has a RIGHT to be courageous, that he doesn't have to be a doormat to be liked. I wonder if the Sorting Hat sorts based not on what you are, but on what you could be. Maybe the hat knew that Gryffindor was the only place Neville could develop that courage.

Oli View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 11:39 AM Post #5
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 163 Joined: 5:33pm January 4, 2006 Location: Trying to find my own Ginny	QUOTE(CrumplehornedSnorckak @ Jan 1 2007, 04:30 PM) [snapback]1048502[/snapback] I think we definitely see in Neville a different kind of courage. Harry has a very reckless, headlong kind of courage, at least in the first book; Ron's courage really comes from his loyalty to Harry (it's sort of the 19th-century literary master-servant relationship--think Frodo and Sam, if you prefer); and Hermione has, well, the courage of her convictions, I guess. But Neville's courage comes, I think, from a developing realization that he has a RIGHT to be courageous, that he doesn't have to be a doormat to be liked. I wonder if the Sorting Hat sorts based not on what you are, but on what you could be. Maybe the hat knew that Gryffindor was the only place Neville could develop that courage. While it's true that Harry has a reckless kind of courage I think that Neville would have this "quality" too. We don't see it much in the first book, but when the second Quidditch match is going on he did help Ron when he was fighting Malfoy, and we know he got knocked out in that fight. This proves he has courrage enough (and in later books, especially HBP he shows it) and that he can be reckless. I assume he just doubts himself too much. This probably due to his education, as we can often read that his grandmother says he isn't as talented as his parents. This must put him down, to hear that alot and he probably beliefs this too, although again in the other books his character grows more confident. -------------------- "That's the second time we've saved your life tonight you two faced b------!!"

Harry's Wifey View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 11:46 AM Post #6
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 4 Joined: 9:59pm May 30, 2006	I completely agree with Ravendor81. I, too, believe that Neville's characterization is important in the story. It gives us something to go on and build up to while reading up from SS and into the chapter where we learn that Harry and Neville have a rare, very crucial, connection. We even see, before that point, the two may have a connetion soley based on the fact that they are so similar, though in the beginnging they don't seem like they are. Connected, I mean. I truely do believe that Neville has a hidden agenda, if you will. I think that in the last book Neville will have his heroic moment. Licole

DumbleDebbie View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 12:25 PM Post #7
Dodgy Cauldrons Dealer Posts: 1,683 Joined: 7:58pm April 7, 2006 Location: Maine	I love Neville! He and Harry are, in many ways, mirror images of each other. As we find out later, but for what amounted to a coin toss, Neville could have been the one targeted by Voldemort. I find it very telling that the 4 first years together in the boat entering Hogwarts for the first time are Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville. As to the subject of Neville's courage. I think Neville is the bravest character in the entire series. Poor kid does seem to have trouble when around Snape. Early on his cauldron collapses in potions class. What caused that anyhow? Was it Leaky? (I couldn't resist. ) Neville's best line in PS/SS 'I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy'. Love it! I also absolutely love that Dumbledore dolled out the the points at the end of the book in such a way that Neville is the one to put Gryffindor over the top. That was just brilliant! Debbie -------------------- 'It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.' ~ APWB Dumbledore "Caput Draconis" :D Congrats Knight62442 Werewolves! Awooooo!!!

datgrl View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 12:44 PM Post #8
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 1 Joined: 6:56pm April 2, 2006	Hi everyone, I wanted to add a little something to this thread about Neville. As with all the characters, we've watched them grow up in the books. He is coming into his own, gaining confidence through his friendship with Harry. My thoughts are on their relationship. I think it's very different than the relationship James (Harry's father) had with Peter Pettigrew who I perceive as a similar personality or character as Neville. At least in the beginning, while they were at school. I get the sense that James just put up with Peter, not really liking him all that much. That Peter hung out with James and the others in a hero worship sort of way. Whereas; Harry, Ron, and Hermione genuinely like Neville and feel he is a true friend. They really look to him for advice and input. datgrl in Baltimore, MD

davidenglish View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 12:57 PM Post #9
Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song Posts: 6,422 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag	It's interesting that most of us are like Harry in that we didn't ask what happened to Neville's parents. (Well, perhaps we did, but JKR never expressed this for us, so we let it pass.) And yet we should have, knowing that Harry's parents were murdered. It's interesting that Neville brought into Harry & Ron's compartment by Hermione. Hermione, who some see is lonely and intrroverted, clearly had no problem befriending Neville and coming to his aid. And what is it that concerns Neville & Hermione? The loss of his toad Trevor. Pets, I believe, often function as metaphors for a inner character. Trevor, a name meaning big hearth or steadfast or loyal, certainly describes what we latter learn of Neville. And what is Trevor trying to do? Get out. So, we can see by his toad that Neville is a true Gryffindor hidden by the shock of his unknown past. Trevor is a bit like a Pullman daimon. I think we also can see something prophetic from Neville's incident with the broom. Yes, he shoots off into the air, falls, and breaks his wrist. But he seems to have had a lot of magic in him to make the broom respond so readily. Others seemed to have trouble getting the slightest nod from their brooms. Not Neville. But his magic seems so chaotic, unfocused, or rattled. Whereas Harry's power is under his cool control, Neville seems to have power which is unfortunatedly scattered by events in his past. It is interesting that Snape picks on both Neville and Harry. We certainly don't know the link between these two until many books later, but it does bond them in our mind. The two whippng boys of the evil potions master. -------------------- Come the words that bubble Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!"

DumbleDebbie View Member Profile	Jan 1 2007, 12:57 PM Post #10
Dodgy Cauldrons Dealer Posts: 1,683 Joined: 7:58pm April 7, 2006 Location: Maine	QUOTE(datgrl @ Jan 1 2007, 12:44 PM) [snapback]1048700[/snapback] I wanted to add a little something to this thread about Neville. As with all the characters, we've watched them grow up in the books. He is coming into his own, gaining confidence through his friendship with Harry. My thoughts are on their relationship. I think it's very different than the relationship James (Harry's father) had with Peter Pettigrew who I perceive as a similar personality or character as Neville. At least in the beginning, while they were at school. I think Neville's character is completely opposite from Peter's. Jo's reaction to the notion that Neville may be Peter's son was "How dare you?!". I get the feeling she'd say the same to any attempt to link those two characters. Peter is a scumbag who will do anything, including handing his friends over to a murderer, to save his own skin. Neville would die to protect his friends. Polar opposites IMO. Debbie -------------------- 'It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.' ~ APWB Dumbledore "Caput Draconis" :D Congrats Knight62442 Werewolves! Awooooo!!!