This is amazing. I shall not stop you, no chance! If there's anything to stir up one's perception of Harry Potter, it would be this thesis. I've never encountered such a vision of the character, and it would be a wonderful read.



The sole idea of a mid-life crisis in a person who's done so much and is now living his dream life (dream job, dream wife, great friends and most beloved kids) is fresh and revitalizing to the whole image of the Harry Potter we're all used to perceiving. It doesn't seem unreal, either, which only adds to the flavor.



However, I must argue that little selfishness doesn't mean little self-esteem. Preservation, perhaps, but not necessarily one's perception of oneself. I've always thought that Harry's following the cause, whatever it is in the story, is due to him trying to do good.



His actions throughout the story indicate that power has no grip on him: he risked his life for others multiple times and followed those he cares about into the danger, however grand it was, solely to save those he loves, when he was more than capable of using his fame to raise his own army for his personal benefit. He broke the most powerful wand in the world - the wand that was his, too: if that's not an indication on how incorruptible the boy who lives is, I'll have trouble providing other arguments... in part because, I must admit, I've forgotten the exact stories behind the seven books.



That being said, it doesn't mean that you're wrong about him, either. Rarely did Harry do something for himself and for himself only. I'd love to see how he turns out to be the person that you'd described him as: confident and competent (and more assertive and selfish, of course - otherwise he won't change much).