While the entire Harry Potter series works to establish the identity of the main character, the first chapter of JK Rowling's best-selling books, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, clearly presents a pattern that begins very early in the protagonist's life, Harry Potter. . Contrary to works that might emphasize the influence of coincidence or fate, it is evident that Harry chooses what his identity will be, rather than letting fate and circumstance determine it for him. As Rowling introduces readers to the young protagonist, she follows a pattern, especially in the first book of the series, to illustrate how Harry takes the act of shaping his own identity into his own hands. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the novel, readers immediately discover that eleven-year-old Harry Potter lives with his unpleasant Dursley uncles. It is also evident that he is not loved by his caretakers and is forced to live in a cupboard under the stairs. He is mistreated and neglected, while his cousin is spoiled and fattened. On his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers that he is a wizard and is taken into a whole new magical world with a friendly half-giant named Hagrid. Now he faces a choice. Will he choose to trust this new world and these new people, or will he approach it with apprehension and mistrust because of the way he was treated throughout his childhood? In a psychological study conducted by Carrie A. Moylan et al on the behavioral effects associated with child abuse, it was found that “children exposed to domestic violence and/or child abuse are more likely to experience a wide range of outcomes adverse psychosocial and behavioral disorders". (Moylan et al.53). Child abuse is an action that comes with many negative consequences. It is generally known that many child abuse situations do not end well and cause long-term problems for the victim such as trust issues, low self-esteem and anger, as well as much more serious problems such as suicidal depression and anxiety. Abuse changes the victim's behavior both internally and externally. After extensive observation trials of a wide variety of children, the study found that “youth… who had been direct victims of child abuse were more consistently at risk for the full range of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems " (59). Taking the above information into consideration, it's easy to assume that Harry would face his new world with the same animosity he was given in his old world. Readers wouldn't blame Harry for approaching everything with caution and wariness, since he was shown nothing but cruelty for most of his childhood. However, Harry reacts the opposite way. He immediately receives everyone in the magical world with enthusiasm and gratitude. He willingly immerses himself in the eccentric magical village and asks many questions about the new world he is a part of. The morning he leaves for Hogwarts, he is overcome with excitement: “Harry woke at five the next morning and was too excited and nervous to go back to sleep” (Rowling 90). When he arrives at school he never shows fear, but exudes excitement. Attend the welcome banquet without any hesitation or doubt about the reason behind presenting the extravagant meal. When Harry is faced with the choice of whether to let the desperation of the past write his future or break out of that cycle to create a new life, he chooses happiness, refusing to let circumstances define him. After being introduced to the new magical world,Harry is presented with information that would seem to alter his view of himself. He discovers that he alone survived the attack of the most dangerous and dark wizard of their time, Lord Voldemort. Not only did Harry survive the attack that killed his parents with only a scar to show for it at the age of one, but he also managed to make Voldemort disappear without a trace. Harry has carried the nickname "The Boy Who Lived" since his childhood. He is also considered a hero for driving the evil wizard out of society. If someone were told that they are responsible for all these good deeds after being introduced into a society where everyone knows them only by this, it would be easy to take advantage of these titles and develop a hero complex. Hubris, according to Dictionary.com, is defined as “excessive pride or self-confidence” (hubris). This type of self-image can lead to thinking that one is better than others or worthy of being called a hero. In an article in a psychiatric journal about the dangers of arrogance, Dianne Trumball brings to the reader's attention the idea that people with arrogance as a personality trait “see themselves as embodying archetypal hero standards and action-oriented that can change.” destiny” (Trumball 343). It would be quite easy for Harry to take on this personality trait if he simply accepted what other witches and wizards told him about who he was. It would be much easier for him to accept the fact that he is a prominent and superior hero and proceed in this way in his new life rather than start from the bottom and establish his identity. However, Harry doesn't do this. Harry's personality is the opposite of arrogance. He initially does not believe that he was responsible for the heroic act of defeating Lord Voldemort because he considers himself incapable of these actions. He appears to be himself in a much more humble light than how people in magical society see him. This is best manifested when he and Hagrid are having dinner after a long trip to Diagon Alley[1]: "Everyone thinks I'm special," he finally said. “All those people in the Leaky Cauldron, Professor Quirrell, Mr. Ollivander… but I know nothing about magic at all. How can they expect great things? I'm famous and I can't even remember what I'm famous for. I don’t know what happened when Vol… sorry… I mean, the night my parents died.” (Rowling 86)This piece of dialogue in the novel shows that Harry does not see confidence in himself and does not understand how the people of the wizarding world can see him as so important to society. This self-perception continues until Harry is finally brought to Hogwarts and surrounded by his peers. When he finally finds out which house he will join within Hogwarts, he is simply happy to be part of a "family", and does not notice any special treatment: "He was so relieved to have been chosen and not put into Slytherin, he almost didn't feel he realized he was receiving the loudest cheers ever. Percy the prefect stood up and shook his hand vigorously, while the Weasley twins shouted: "We've got Potter!" (121-122). to define himself as a hero through his actions in his new environment without simply accepting the title. He actively tries to live up to the title of hero by proving himself worthy. Throughout his first year at Hogwarts, Harry participates in actions that allow him to earn it the title of hero. He does by being kind to others, becoming an active participant in school activities, and even breaking the rules when it means a better outcome for others. His first chance to show his true heart is as a rich student and nobleman named Draco Malfoy offends the.