Character Analysis of Hedwig

Hedwig may not have been human, but she certainly played a big role in the books. She served a role as a friend, a symbol, and a character who furthered the plot of the series. Hedwig is not just a pet, she ends up serving some very important roles in Harry’s life. JKR took great care when she created Hedwig, and used her well throughout the series.

Hedwig’s Roles

Hedwig’s most important roles were served at Privet Drive. This is the place that we see her the most, perhaps because Harry spends more time with her here than anywhere else. Here she serves as his companion. In Privet Drive, he suffers from the abuse of his aunt and uncle, and Hedwig is the thing that helps him get through it. Hedwig is truly the closest thing he has to a family. They have squabbles, they care about each other, and most importantly they trust each other. She is also his link to the magical world: in Privet Drive where nothing is magical, she is the thing that keeps his connection with it. She does this by sending and receiving letters, and simply by her presence.
In Hogwarts, she serves as his link to the people outside of Hogwarts that he cares about. She brings him letters from Sirius and Hagrid. These letters bring him care, advice, and news. Though she rarely has the chance to bring Harry letters, he is always more than happy to see her. In Hogwarts, Hedwig also comes down to breakfast to simply visit Harry to peck his hand or drink a little of his orange juice. Here once again, we see the companionship involved in their relationship.

Hedwig: The Symbol

Hedwig serves a second function other than being Harry’s companion. She is a symbol of innocence and childhood. When she dies in Deathly Hallows, her death marks the end of Harry’s childhood. Throughout the series, Harry takes care of her by feeding and loving her; the same way you would care for a child. Hedwig is a snowy owl, this is another clue that she serves as a symbol of innocence. White is often used to symbolize purity and innocence. Hedwig also serves as a kind of security blanket for Harry. She is able to calm him down when he is upset. Her death shows Harry that this war is real, and it is personal. When she dies, it is a very sudden way of tossing Harry from the safety of childhood into the dangers of being an adult.

Other Things About Hedwig

As an owl, Hedwig obviously cannot talk. Harry and Hedwig’s entire relationship is non-verbal, yet through her coos, head turns, and pecks, we come to know her quite well. But in the real world, snowy owls are almost entirely silent. So Harry and Hedwig’s non-verbal conversation should perhaps have been even quieter. But we do have to remember that Hedwig comes from the magical world...
Hedwig seems to be the only snowy owl at Hogwarts. She stands out among the other owls. This makes her a very appropriate pet for Harry, who is also singled out from his peers. I can’t imagine that JKR did this by mistake, I think it makes her a perfect pet for him.

Favorite Moments

I (Calie) love whenever Harry gives Hedwig the vegetables from his cold soup during the summer before second year. This is when the Dursleys lock him in his room and feed (I should say, starve) him through a catflap. For some reason this really shows the amount of love and devotion between the pair, and it shows a lot about Harry’s character. He is sacrificing his own food for her, perhaps this is a sign that he is willing to sacrifice for those he love.

The snowy owl clicked her beak and nibbled his ear affectionately as Harry stroked her feathers.

“She’s been in a right state,” said Ron. “Pecked us half to Just as he limped past the window, Hedwig soared through it with a soft rustle of wings like a small ghost.
“About time!” Harry snarled, as she landed lightly on top of her cage. “You can put that down, I’ve got work for you!”
Hedwig’s large amber eyes gazed reproachfully at him over the dead frog clamped in her beak.
“Come here,” said Harry, picking up the three small rolls of parchment and a small leather thong and tying the scrolls to her scaly leg. “Take these straight to Sirius, Ron and Hermione and don’t come back here without good long replies. Keep pecking them till they’ve written decent-length answers if you’ve got to. Understand?”
Hedwig gave a muffled hooting noise, beak still full of frog.

Later, at Number 12:
“Hedwig!”
death when she brought your last letters, look at this-“
He showed Harry the index finger of his right hand, which sported a half-healed but clearly deep cut.

This is my (Paige) favorite Harry-Hedwig passage. It shows their relationship very well. This passage is at the beginning of OOTP after Harry was attacked by the Dementors and received the various mail. He was frustrated from the lack of information, so when Hedwig gets there, he is very mad and isn’t exactly nice to her. He gives her the task and Hedwig is obedient to Harry, even though we can tell that she is annoyed. I love that JKR incorporates her emotions and the interactions she has with Harry. It is what develops her character, I think. Here, we also see the ear nibbling and Harry stroking her, which shows that they are close. She is the main link to the magical world when he is at Privet Drive, and basically helps keep Harry sane.

Mischief Managed.

Calie Holden and Paige Cyrus