Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is the main character in these movies/novels. The viewer is introduced to this character as a young boy whose mother and father have been killed and is currently being raised by an oppressive aunt and uncle.
Harry Potter represents the youthful rebellion found in all young boys, his rebellious nature is simply justified by his overly suppressive aunt and uncle. By treating Harry as poorly as they do they make it easy for the viewer to relate to his resentment and recognize his need to escape from this environment.
This need for escape seaways perfectly into Harry’s induction into the mystical and secretive wizarding community. Early on in the series Harry is introduced into this world of fantasy and magic that he quickly becomes engrossed in (see our review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone).