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 troll 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.
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A SIDEKICK CASE STUDY:
SAM GAMGEE OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Samwise Gamgee plays the role of a sidekick to Frodo Baggins 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 Gandalf about the One Ring
and the dark lord Sauron, Sam is tasked to join Frodo on his journey to bring the ring to Rivendell. 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 Mordor with Frodo, even saving him from Orcs 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 Gollum.
✓
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.
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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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