This is by far the most literary novel of the series. It contains its own story, but it also connects back into the entire series, specifically Sorcerer's Stone. Everything that Harry learned before and because the events of "Through the Trapdoor" is useful to him in this book and the journeys are parallel to one another.
Just like it takes the combined efforts of Harry, Ron, and Hermione to reach the stone, it takes the combined effort of all three to find and destroy the Horcruxes. Harry destroys the diary in the second book and sacrifices himself, Ron destroys the locket, and Hermione the cup. Their individual journeys also demonstrate their maturity by the end of the series.
I think Ron and Harry have equally trying journeys through the series. Ron overcomes his insecurities enough to defeat the piece of Voldemort's soul that is influencing him. To me, the part of the series when Ron leaves Harry and Hermione is one of the most heart-wrenching. Ron chooses to give into his insecurities and they hold him back from maturing into a man. But, he chooses to come back and stand by his friends. Out of the trio, Ron is giving up the most by going on the journey. He chooses to leave his family, one of the most important aspects of his life. Even at school, it is apparent that the Weasley clan is tight-knit and values loyalty above all. For Ron to go off and leave the safety of his family is a terrific sacrifice. He does it not only once, but three times. He chooses to follow Harry into the breech and saves his life multiple times. Ron finally reaching the turning point into maturity when he metaphorically and literally defeats his demons.
Finally, Harry's journey. He begins the book by losing Hedwig, the symbol of his childhood, his constant link to the magical world, and his comfort during the long summers. As the book continues, he loses many others around him that bring him strength and comfort. By the end of the book, he is left to commit his sacrifice on his own. I believe that Harry's turning point into maturity comes when he buries Dobby and makes the conscious choice to pursue the Horcruxes instead of Hallows. Harry could have taken the easy way out- the way that Dumbledore chose in his youth. Instead, he chooses to wait. If we think back to who Harry was as a character leading up to this point, he was rash and impulsive. In Sorcerer's Stone, he wants to chase and defeat Snape/Voldemort on his own. He is constantly charging into battle without a second thought. But as he buries Dobby, he does the hardest thing for a commander who has just lost a soldier and a friend- he chooses to wait. He makes a well-reasoned decision for the good of many, instead of the rash decision that will only lead to more heartache and will not help the cause. Harry finally grows into the man that Dumbledore wants him to be.
While all three of the Golden Trio defeat their demons in different ways, it is their choices that lead them to victory. Their combined efforts as a team and their constant trust in one another and what allow them to succeed throughout the series, from capturing the Sorcerer's Stone to destroying the Horcruxes.
Obviously, I could go on and on about the complexities of this book and this series. I wrote my senior thesis about the duality of Harry and Draco and of Harry and Voldemort. I also connect this duality into Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities and the Bible. One day I might turn all of this analysis and rambling into a book. But for now, I just enjoy thinking critically about a series that shaped my life and my generation.
