Character Identification (was Does JKR's portrayal of woment combat sexism?)

[davewitley]

Pippin wrote:

> If a girl, or a woman, can't identify 
> with Hermione, she isn't likely to enjoy the series in the first 
> place, and she'll find something else to read.

It is rare indeed for me to disagree with anything Pippin says, but 
is this really true?  Perhaps we should have a poll (men would have 
to agree not to participate for it to be accurate).

My own experience is that I identify with the POV character first and 
foremost in any book.  It doesn't matter if they are Bertie Wooster, 
or Michael Innes' contemptible Routh (Operation Pax), or Elizabeth 
Bennett.

I would expect girls to identify with Harry.   Some might go on to 
identify with Hermione or Lupin or whoever, and gender might then 
play a part.  Do people identify with one character, or many?  Do 
they identify only partially: 'I share Ron's dislike of work but not 
his knee-jerk reactions'.

The reasons for identification always interest me.  If Book 5 
introduces an American character, will American listies desert their 
previous indentificatees (is there such a word?) in droves, or just 
add the person to their list, or do nothing?  Would it make any 
difference if that person were female, a child, or, say, a Death 
Eater?  In short, what aspect of similarity is it that causes us to 
latch on to a character and identify?

David