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A SIDEKICK CASE STUDY: HERMIONE OF HARRY POTTER

Hermione plays the role of a sidekick in all seven of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.

Hermione first becomes friends with Harry after Harry and Ron save her from the that has been let loose in Hogwarts. From then on, Hermione helps Harry in his quest to uncover information about Nicholas Flamel and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Hermione saves Harry’s life at the Quidditch match by inadvertently knocking over the professor who was threatening him. She also helps with the attempt to sneak the baby dragon out of Hogwarts, and finally she helps him make his way through several obstacles to reach the Philosopher’s Stone.

✓ 1. THEY CAN CALL THE HERO OUT ON THEIR CRAP. Hermione is finally able to prove to Harry just how important his studies are when she saves him and Ron from the constrictive plant. ✓ 2. THEY CAN PROVIDE THE HERO WITH CLARITY. Hermione’s extensive knowledge and research skills provide Harry with clarity as he searches for the truth about the Philosopher’s Stone. ✓ 3. THEY CAN CREATE SECONDARY TENSION. Hermione’s initial know-it-all attitude grates on Harry’s nerves, creating a secondary tension until Harry and Ron save her from the troll. 4. THEY CAN FORCE THE HERO TO CONFRONT THEIR HEART. 5. THEY CAN HELP THE HERO SEE PAST THEMSELVES. 6. THEY CAN PROVIDE A SECONDARY POV. 7. THEY CAN TEACH US THE HERO’S BACKSTORY. ✓ 8. THEY CAN KEEP YOUR HERO LIKABLE. Hermione helps make Harry a likable character when she takes the blame for the troll incident, and he shows his gratitude and befriends her. ✓ 9. THEY CAN BE YOUR HERO’S SAVING GRACE. Hermione helps Harry reach Voldemort by getting him through the potions obstacle, something he couldn’t have done on his own.

http://shesnovel.com !1 A SIDEKICK CASE STUDY: SAM GAMGEE OF

Samwise Gamgee plays the role of a sidekick to in all three of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novels.

Sam is Frodo’s gardener and friend. When he overhears a conversation between Frodo and about the and the dark lord , Sam is tasked to join Frodo on his journey to bring the ring to . From there, Sam continues to stay by Frodo’s side, even when he leaves the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Sam journeys the rest of the way to with Frodo, even saving him from on one occasion. It is Sam’s own ability to not succumb to the Ring that ends up saving them both, eventually leading Frodo and Sam to complete their mission to destroy the ring.

✓ 1. THEY CAN CALL THE HERO OUT ON THEIR CRAP. Sam often warns Frodo that he is making a foolish mistake by trusting . ✓ 2. THEY CAN PROVIDE THE HERO WITH CLARITY. Sam encourages Frodo to continue on this mission by reminding him that the brave figures in stories didn’t turn back. ✓ 3. THEY CAN CREATE SECONDARY TENSION. Sam’s distrust of Gollum aggravates Frodo, leading to secondary tension between the two characters. 4. THEY CAN FORCE THE HERO TO CONFRONT THEIR HEART. 5. THEY CAN HELP THE HERO SEE PAST THEMSELVES. ✓ 6. THEY CAN PROVIDE A SECONDARY POV. On several occasions, Sam’s point of view is used to fill in the gaps of the story. 7. THEY CAN TEACH US THE HERO’S BACKSTORY. ✓ 8. THEY CAN KEEP YOUR HERO LIKABLE. Sam often tells Frodo that it is the Ring that is twisting his mind, a subtle reminder to readers that Frodo isn’t bad at heart. ✓ 9. THEY CAN BE YOUR HERO’S SAVING GRACE. Sam saves Frodo’s life when he is taken captive by Orcs in Cirith Ungol.

http://shesnovel.com !2 GIVING YOUR SIDEKICK PURPOSE A CHECKLIST FOR AUTHORS

CHARACTER: ______TYPE: ______

WHAT ROLES DOES YOUR SIDEKICK FULFILL?

1. THEY CAN CALL THE HERO OUT ON THEIR CRAP. ______2. THEY CAN PROVIDE THE HERO WITH CLARITY. ______3. THEY CAN CREATE SECONDARY TENSION. ______4. THEY CAN FORCE THE HERO TO CONFRONT THEIR HEART. ______5. THEY CAN HELP THE HERO SEE PAST THEMSELVES. ______6. THEY CAN PROVIDE A SECONDARY POV. ______7. THEY CAN TEACH US THE HERO’S BACKSTORY. ______8. THEY CAN KEEP YOUR HERO LIKABLE. ______9. THEY CAN BE YOUR HERO’S SAVING GRACE. ______

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