Batman Case

In this age of fictional media and literature, where you have a Batman for every Joker and a Harry Potter for every Lord Voldemort, you come across so many characters that you are bound to relate to. While some might view these characters as just a simple source of joy, given enough time, these characters can influence your life and end up changing who you are.

Whereas most people pay attention to the main characters and their stories, I find supporting roles just as fascinating and, sometimes, more so. Supporting roles are usually the "underdogs" of the story; they often are the characters who are meant to "lose" in someway. But I always find myself rooting for them. I feel I can relate to them. Samwise from the Lord of The Rings trilogy, Tyrion Lannister from the Game of Thrones, Dory from Finding Nemo and Timon and Pumba from The Lion King - all are examples of extremely important secondary characters. But the one supporting character that has influenced me the most is Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter series. (Rowling, 30 June 1997)

Throughout his school years, Neville was mostly a shy, clumsy, introverted boy who was constantly being told by his grandmother that he was not good enough or living up to his parent's accomplishments. However, in later years, he showed that he had immense courage and perseverance. His journey throughout the books shows how an akward teenager becomes an adult with values such as friendship, family, cooperation, natural leadership, and most importantly, loyalty. Neville overcomes his personal problems and does not dwell on the fact that his parents were tortured to insanity and are in a mental institution.

How is it that I can relate so much to Neville Longbottom? We both grew up very differently. I from a large, supportive family where friendship, love and loyalty were always in my life. Although Neville developed his values, personality and traits throughout his school years and not with his family, I believe we connect in many ways. I was bullied throughout middle school and, from Neville's story, I learned that it was not the end. I could still go on and do great things with my life. Neville taught me that any disadvantages I had when young, did not define me. As long as you have friends by your side, and the belief that you are doing the right things, you can go on to be a hero. After all, we all have a story behind us that defines who we are.

Take, as an example, Simba from the The Lion King(Allers, Minkoff, June 15 1994): A movie that I adored as a child. If it was not for Timon and Pumba he would be lost (Allers, Minkoff, June 15 1994). Even not knowing he was the future king and what he had just gone through, they accepted him into their "clique" without second thoughts.

The two secondary characters saw that Simba needed someone at that time and helped him see life through other eyes. With that, I learned that you don't