Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

How do the behaviors of the following characters reveal pre-teen angst and self-esteem issues?

1.  Harry Potter

2.  Dudley Dursley

3.  Ron Weasley

4.  Hermione Granger

5.  Draco Malfoy

6.  Neville Longbottom

Great question!  I love these books since there is really so much to learn from...this is a great example.

Harry obviously has much to be dissatisfied with in his life until he turns eleven and his Giant friend Hagrid comes to visit.  He is treated as a second-class citizen without even a room in the house--he lives UNDER THE STAIRCASE for Pete's sake!  He is thin, wears glasses, and has weird things happen to him all the time.  He barely gets enough to eat and definitely does not have the same rights as Dudley.  He is humble, and not too sure of his place in life.  Once he gets to Hogwarts, things change for him.  Slowly he becomes more sure of himself and gets used to the fact that he is famous.

Dudley, the spoiled rotten obese cousin of Harry, has an overly inflated opinion of himself because his parents are sniveling excuses for parental units.  He has TWO bedrooms in the house to house his toys and clothes and whines when he has one less present for his birthday than the year before.  UGH.

Ron is red-headed and a pure blood wizard.  He is not sure of himself as his family seems to be the target of ridicule as the Weasley children are known for hand-me-downs and handmade clothing.  They are not wealthy, and do not flaunt belongings.

Hermione has reasons to be unsure.  She is a muggle, not born of wizard parents.  They are looked down upon by pure-blood wizards.

Draco has a too-high opinion of himself.