Manipulation and redemption are two prominent themes in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Major characters present dual natures, reflecting both deceitful and empathetic traits. Some deceptions are benign and initiated to avoid confrontations or intrusiveness, such as Harry's pretence to be Neville Longbottom when he does not want the Knight Bus' driver and conductor to recognize him. Other impostors have malignant intentions, wanting to mislead people in order to take advantage of them and sometimes harm them.

Although Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is primarily plot driven, the characters are essential in propelling the plot forward through their selfish motivations and machinations of each other and reactions to circumstances, both contrived and naturally occurring. Rowling's characters are archetypes representing heroes, helpers, villains, and other essential roles. These archetypal characters represent extremes of good and evil, and the battle between those two forces...